1990-2011: Restructuring Healthcare in London

1970–1989

Two Hospitals Unite

Recognizing the need to consolidate and the opportunity to improve services, the Boards of Directors of Victoria Hospital and University Hospital unanimously approved the merger of the two hospitals in October 1995.

At a media conference in February 1996, a new name and logo were announced. London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), formed and made stronger by the merger of two London hospitals, continued to work towards its future as a leading academic health sciences centre.

In June 2005, London Health Sciences Centre unveiled new logo, branding and site names: Victoria Hospital at Wellington and Commissioners Roads, South Street Hospital on South Street and University Hospital on Windermere Road.

Redevelopment

In 1997, the Health Services Restructuring Commission (HSRC) had released its report and recommendations on restructuring hospital services in London, and its plan for mental health services in Southwestern Ontario.

London’s hospitals, in partnership with the provincial government and the community, began redevelopment plans to consolidate citywide healthcare services, ensuring physicians and staff have the tools they need to give patients the best possible care.

For South Street Hospital, the Commission recommended the transfer of acute care services from the outdated facilities at South to new facilities at Victoria Hospital on Commissioners Road.

The first phase of the transfer of acute care services from South Street Hospital was on June 12, 2005. LHSC moved 145 patients and 180 beds, taking seven hours, 2,500 staff members and 300 trucks of hospital equipment to complete on of the largest single-day hospital moves in North America. This extraordinary effort by staff, physicians, nurses and patients helped to move forward the new vision of London’s hospitals.

The accomplishments of Milestone 1 represent the support of a provincial commission, a $200 million investment from the provincial government, an integrated planning team of hundreds of employees from both LHSC and St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, and five years of sustained planning, collaboration and determination.

The second phase of redevelopment as part of the restructuring of London’s hospitals is currently underway. Milestone 2, Phase 2 (M2P2) is a joint initiative with St. Joseph’s Health Care, London and is the largest hospital restructuring project. Included in this phase are a series of nearly 30 program moves and transfers across the city and construction of the new state-of-the-art 10-storey tower in zone B of Victoria Hospital, and the transfer of the remaining clinical programs at South Street Hospital.

LHSC’s Adult Mental Health Care Program, currently located at South Street Hospital, is moving to brand new purpose-built spaces at Victoria Hospital. The move took place throughout the month of April, 2011.  

Some outpatient units, including renal dialysis, will continue to operate at South Street Hospital from the next several months.

World and Canadian Medical Breakthroughs

In 1997, LHSC nephrologist performs a world-first in plasma exchange treatment and is credited with saving the life of a man with a severe case of food poisoning.

In 2001, the first artificial disc replacement in Canada is completed at LHSC.

In 2002, Neurosurgeons at LHSC complete the first artificial cervical disc replacement in North America

In 2002, LHSC cardiologists complete a left atrial appendage occlusion, a new procedure for stroke prevention that closes the area of the heart where the majority of blood clots form.

Excerpts from "Growing to serve... : a history of Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario." Authors: Norman. John Robert Sullivan, Norman R. Ball, and Victoria Hospital Corporation. Published: 1985 by Victoria Hospital Corporation, London, Ontario.