Where it all began: The opening of London General Hospital

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Above: Victoria Hospital on South Street

The story of London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) began 150 years ago when a growing city recognized the need for a hospital to care for its people. On August 5,1875, London General Hospital opened its doors on South Street and a legacy of great care, teaching, and research was born.  

While it was a simple beginning, a modest facility with just a handful of beds and a small team of doctors and nurses, London General Hospital laid the foundation for what would become one of Canada’s leading health-care institutions. 

By the early 20th century, London General Hospital expanded to provide more suitable teaching facilities for medical students and meet the region’s growing hospital needs. A dedicated children’s ward was established in 1923 to care for the youngest and most vulnerable patients, as well as an expanded maternity ward.  

LHSC’s role as a global leader in research and innovation was born at London General Hospital. For example, Dr. Murray Barr’s discovery of the Barr body on chromosomes enabled simple genetic testing long before DNA was fully understood. London General Hospital also became an early adopter of emerging medical technologies, including the introduction of radiology, a field that would revolutionize diagnostic medicine.  

“The work that began at London General Hospital laid the groundwork for discoveries that changed the course of medicine,” says Dr. Christie MacDonald, LHSC 150 Co-Executive Sponsor and Interim Vice Chair, Medical Advisory Committee. “From early breakthroughs in genetics to pioneering diagnostic techniques, LHSC continues to build on this legacy, driving advancements that impact patient care worldwide.”

Throughout the 1900s, the hospital continued to evolve. It became a training ground for future medical professionals, working closely with Western University’s Faculty of Medicine and Fanshawe College to educate generations of physicians and nurses. It also played a pivotal role in responding to public health crises like tuberculosis and polio, treating patients during outbreaks of infectious diseases, and adapting to the rapid advancements in medical science.

World history is interwoven with the history of London General Hospital. In 1899, London General Hospital was renamed Victoria Hospital in honor of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, commemorating 60 years of her reign and marking a new era of health care in the city. During World War I, London’s medical community played a key role in both the war effort and local health care. To honour those who served, the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire led to the establishment of the War Memorial Children’s Hospital, which opened in 1923 as part of Victoria Hospital. For more than a century, London General Hospital was the heart of hospital-based care in London and remained in operation until 2013. 

“London General Hospital defined a world-class health-care institution, and that foundation continues for LHSC today,” says Deborah Wiseman, LHSC 150 Co-Executive Sponsor and VP Medicine, Emergency Services, Critical Care, Clinical Neurological Sciences & CNE. “Its legacy of innovation and compassionate care continues to shape the present and future of medicine locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.” 

LHSC is celebrating 150 years of care, innovation, and community impact by sharing 150 moments from our history. Join us in marking this milestone by sharing your own LHSC story.