Amid turmoil, London Health Sciences Centre launches outside review of governance

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London Health Sciences Centre has launched a third-party review of its operations and governance and won’t move on appointing a new president or board until the months-long probe is complete.  

David Musyj, the provincially appointed supervisor of LHSC, would not commit to a specific timeline on selecting a new chief executive or board of directors, saying LHSC’s next moves will be informed by a comprehensive review of hospital operations by a third party.  

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“We must learn from the mistakes of the past and fix them moving forward,” Musyj said at a scheduled public briefing Wednesday. “It took time to get into this predicament and it will take time to get out of it properly.” 

The review will take four to five months to complete and is being supported by Ontario Health, the province’s health care administration. The external review will analyze LHSC policies and procedures, including financial planning, forecasting and monitoring and governance oversight, Musyj said.

Recommendations from the review will be shared with Musyj and Ontario Health and implemented, Musyj said.  

LHSC has also struck a 10-person advisory committee to help guide its next steps.      

The group, which will provide feedback and ideas directly to Musyj, includes a range of individuals with different backgrounds.  

Among the members are Mariam Hamou, a librarian and former Ward 6 city councillor, Nathan Smith, chief of staff to London Mayor Josh Morgan, and Peter Bergmanis, co-chair of the London Health Coalition, a grassroots health advocacy group. 

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The committee also includes a Canada Research chair from Western University, the executive director of Mission Services London and several individuals with business and financial experience.  

Musyj, who was seconded from Windsor Regional Hospital and named interim LHSC president in May, was appointed supervisor of LHSC by the provincial government Sept. 25. The move triggered the voluntary resignation of the hospital’s board of directors. 

Queen’s Park appointed Musyj as supervisor amid LHSC’s “concerning financial performance” including a $150-million deficit in its 2024-25 budget year. Musyj, whose term can last up to 18 months, is reporting directly to the Ministry of Health. 

Wednesday’s briefing by Musyj and other LHSC leaders is the first of monthly updates the hospital is planning to inform the public about its next steps.  

“This is your LHSC and together we will build a better future for health care in London and beyond,” Musyj said, adding the updates are intended to improve hospital transparency and accountability. 

LHSC has seen some considerable change in its executive and management ranks in recent months.  

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In early September, LHSC terminated 59 managers and demoted 71 others with pay cuts to address its projected six-figure deficit

Just weeks ago, two hospital brass, Dr. Alex Barron, the head of LHSC’s medical advisor committee, and Children’s Hospital president Nash Syed announced their resignations. Both were appointed to their posts under LHSC’s previous president Jackie Schleifer Taylor.  

The hospital has made a public job post to replace Syed, who is leaving Jan. 3, 2025.  

jbieman@postmedia.com 

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