Sydney hospital boss departs after cancer diagnosis delays revealed
Less than an hour before they were due to move a vote of no-confidence in Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) chief executive Graeme Loy, doctors at Westmead Hospital received an email from NSW Health secretary Susan Pearce informing them Loy would be leaving the position next week.
'Graeme has been a passionate advocate for western Sydney, committed to championing key reforms in digital health, integrated care, and workforce development,' Pearce wrote, crediting his role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in western Sydney and operating the state's largest vaccination hub at Qudos Bank Arena.
Former South Western Sydney LHD boss Amanda Larkin will act as interim chief executive until a replacement is found.
Loy was appointed to the role in 2018 and has overseen the development of the Westmead Health and Innovation Precinct, as well as early planning and design for a new hospital at Rouse Hill.
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He had a brief stint as interim chief executive of Sydney LHD after Teresa Anderson resigned following a vote of no-confidence in her leadership by doctors at Concord Hospital.
Almost 200 senior doctors had gathered at Westmead on Thursday evening for an urgent special meeting to vote on a no-confidence motion in Loy, after this masthead revealed at least 21 patients had their cancer diagnoses delayed as the hospital's waiting list for endoscopies surpassed more than 3300 people.
The vote proceeded despite Loy's resignation, and was passed unanimously. All 192 doctors present voted to send a delegation to meet with NSW Health to discuss their next steps.
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