Children’s Hospital in London: Big Wins Against Surgery Wait Times

If you’ve ever had to wait for surgery in London, Ontario, you know it can be tough. But here’s some awesome news: Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has cut surgery wait times by more than one-quarter over the last year! That’s a massive improvement and a beacon of hope for families in Southwestern Ontario.

This progress is no accident. It comes thanks to a chunk of the $330 million the provincial government invested last summer to expand children’s healthcare across Ontario. Specifically, Children’s Hospital got $14.2 million of that, with $3.3 million going toward surgical improvements. We’re talking new equipment, more capacity in operating rooms, and increased efficiency in minor procedure rooms.

So what does that mean in real terms? A 26% drop in the wait-list for surgeries. Last year, 1,100 kids were waiting for surgery, but that number has now shrunk to 720. And while only 44% of kids were getting their surgeries within the government-set timeline targets last year, more than half are meeting these targets now.

Dr. Andreana Bütter, the division head of pediatric surgery, says they’ve added roughly two more operating rooms per week, enabling hundreds of extra surgeries this year alone. Not to mention, they’ve performed about 3,600 minor procedures in the last three-and-a-half years, diverting 1,600 of these from the operating room to focus on more severe cases.

And it doesn’t stop there. One of the most innovative steps during the pandemic was opening a minor procedure room for less-invasive surgeries. About 90 to 120 children are seen here monthly, getting treatments that include ear tubes for recurring ear infections and mole removals.

This shift has allowed the hospital to manage its resources better, so children requiring urgent surgeries benefit from speedier access. This kind of systematic efficiency is crucial in maintaining momentum and ensuring that no child waits longer than necessary for essential medical care.

Beyond surgeries, the federal funding also bolstered several programs to optimize care access. They’ve developed a dedicated child and adolescent mental health team in the emergency department, expanded eating disorder services, and boosted the hospital’s pain management program.

This holistic approach isn’t just about cutting down the waitlist; it’s about improving the overall quality of pediatric healthcare in London. When the system runs efficiently, everyone benefits—from the young patients themselves to their anxious families and the medical staff working tirelessly to deliver top-quality care.

A big shout-out to the team at Children’s Hospital and the provincial government for prioritizing our children's health. Here’s to continued success and even shorter wait times in the future!