LHSC to reduce staffing through attrition, no layoffs planned

Following its month community meeting, LHSC has a plan to reduce staffing amid lower patient care numbers.

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) held its monthly community meeting Wednesday morning with staffing updates at the forefront of the conversation.

Hospital Supervisor David Musyj said adjustments will be implemented over the next three to five years.

“Staffing growth has outpaced patient care growth creating a gap that we have to address responsibly,” said Musyj.

He said since 2019, LHSC’s workforce has grown 25 per cent while outpatient visits have grown “only” 11.4 per cent.

To address this gap, Musyj said as employees leave “through retirement” or “voluntary resignation” some positions will not be refilled.

He said LHSC will make changes without having to lay off staff.

“This is a very thoughtful and measured approach. It is grounded in data, aligned with peer hospitals, and being implemented gradually,” explained Musyj. “We are not compromising on patient care. We are not reducing any care services, and we have no plans to lay off any staff.”

According to Musyj, LHSC is also making measured adjustments to its personal support worker (PSW) workforce through natural attrition.

The plan reflects a reduction of 68.8 PSW full-time equivalents (FTE). This is being achieved without layoffs.

“Across all roles and unions, the total net workforce change represents a reduction of approximately 1.9 per cent of total FTEs over the full period, which equates to less than one per cent per year,” said Musyj.