Government & policy

Graham Scott appointed supervisor at KGH

TORONTO – Ontario has appointed Graham Scott (pictured) as supervisor of the Kingston General Hospital, where he will address governance, management and financial issues. The appointment of a supervisor was made, according to the Ministry of Health, so the hospital can better meet the healthcare needs of the residents of the South East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

Kingston General had been running recurring deficit budgets, projected at $13.5 million for 2007-08 and $27.5 million for 2008-09.

According to the Kingston Whig-Standard newspaper, behind the scenes there appears to have been an ongoing dispute between KGH and the southeast region’s Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), the provincial body in charge of all health-care issues.

Mr. Scott, a former Deputy Minister of Health, will draw on his experience as investigator at the Kingston General Hospital to oversee the implementation of recommendations from a report to improve its governance, leadership and financial management.

As supervisor, Scott will assume full powers of the hospital board, the corporation, its officers and members of the corporation. In his role, he will work closely with senior hospital officials and the South East LHIN. Mr. Scott will report directly to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

“I am confident Graham Scott will address the significant concerns related to the operations at Kingston General Hospital,” said David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care .“Mr. Scott’s knowledge, guidance and experience at KGH will enable the hospital staff to continue ensuring reliable care for Kingston area residents.”

“I am pleased to have been appointed to build on the Report and to have the opportunity to work closely with the management, staff and employees of KGH,” said Graham Scott. “KGH is a hospital with a great potential for the future as a leading tertiary/specialty hospital serving southeastern Ontario.”

“Graham Scott has a thorough understanding of the issues and is committed to improve its leadership and financial management,” said Paul Huras, CEO of the South East LHIN. “We look forward to working very closely with Mr. Scott, the Board and the staff to build a financially strong teaching hospital and a local health care leader.”

Kingston General Hospital is a teaching hospital which serves more than 500,000 people in the South East LHIN. Graham Scott was appointed as Investigator at Kingston General Hospital on February 27, 2008. His report to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Investigation into the Governance and Management of Kingston General Hospital was released on June 24, 2008.