Toronto (July 14, 2010) - Kevin Empey, President and CEO of Lakeridge Health and Dr. Robert Bell, CEO of the University Health Network (UHN) are proud to announce the shared management of LH's Laboratory Services with those of UHN. UHN's laboratory currently manages all services for Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Toronto General Hospital, and 13 other hospitals. Laboratory services will continue to be provided in the LH laboratory while being managed by UHN administrative, clinical, and quality experts.
"I am justifiably proud of our dedicated and experienced lab professionals and physicians at Lakeridge Health. They are providing exceptional support for quality patient care across our hospital network," said Mr. Empey. "The pressure on our lab has been rising exponentially as equipment, expertise, quality and service demands grow with our increasing role in regional cancer care and other specialized services. This partnership and Executive Committee will help us get to the next level – ensuring that our patients continue to be served with top quality, accurate and advanced diagnostics."
"Lakeridge Health is increasingly becoming a real force and showing some very tangible successes on the regional and provincial hospital scene. University Health Network wants to be part of Lakeridge Health's bright future while offering some very real advantages for patients, the hospital and Central-East Regional Cancer Network," said Dr. Bell, President and CEO of University Health Network.
A capital improvement project to expand and improve Lakeridge Health's Laboratory, pharmacy and other support services is being planned.
"We are very excited about this new partnership with Lakeridge Health. Dr. Sylvia Asa, Pathologist-in-Chief & Medical Director of UHN's Laboratory Medicine Program and I have visited the LH lab and the excellent physicians and staff there. UHN is proud to be associated with them and anxious to begin working with the team to collectively reach new heights in quality, safety and efficiency," said Brad Davis, Executive Director of UHN's Laboratory Medicine Program. Local administrative and physician management representatives will remain in Oshawa and work on integrating systems and processes will begin immediately.
"This partnership opens up a new world of diagnostic opportunities for our patients, our staff and our physicians," said Dr. Murray Treloar, LH's Chief of Staff. "I am very proud of our team and what we accomplish for our patients – but in the field of laboratory medicine standing apart means standing alone. Our partnership will give our clinicians, technologists and our patients access to some of the best facilities, people, equipment and cutting edge technologies the world has to offer."
"UHN Laboratory Medicine & Pathology is world-class in cancer care. Since these services are critical to excellent cancer diagnosis and management, this partnership will speed the development of our laboratory services in support of the Central-East Regional Cancer Program and the R. S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre," noted Dr. Peter Dixon, Vice-President of Cancer Care.
