Grand River and St. Mary's hospitals could merge in 2025
Grand River Hospital (GRH) and St. Mary’s General Hospital are looking to merge into a single new hospital organization by the spring of 2025.
The hospitals say a due diligence process regarding the details of the merge will get underway along with consultation with the Ontario Ministry of Health.
The hospitals have been partners for over 20 years and believe this merger will make it easier for patients to access care.
“While we initially intended to maintain separate governance structures, it has become increasingly clear that leveraging our combined strengths as a single organization will put us in the best position to navigate the changing health care landscape,” said Tim Rollins, the trustee chair on St. Mary’s board, in a joint news release.
According to the release, the hospital boards independently voted in favour of creating a new, single hospital organization to replace both current hospital organizations.
“This decision is about meeting the needs of our rapidly growing communities to provide better care today, and for generations to come. This is an evolution of our partnership as we work together to build our future hospital system,” said Sandra Hanmer, Grand River board chair.
If approved, the transition is expected to start as early as spring 2025 and take a year to complete. The name and identity of the new organization will be announced later in the planning process.
Discussions about a possible merger aren’t new.
In 2022 the hospitals discussed a joint plan to bring a new hospital to the region.
Since then, they have received feedback on possible locations after a consultation process with the community last year.
Officials said current hospital sites will remain operational, with no immediate changes or impacts on patient care as a result of the potential merge.
The hospitals said it is working toward one senior leadership team including one CEO but it is still undetermined who that will be.
“In terms of our frontline staff, we think it's a great opportunity for staff to look at different things that they may be wanting to do with an amalgamated organization,” said Hanmer in an interview with CTV News.
Officials said they are aiming to have the new hospital ready by 2034.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
B.C. optometrist warns against trending eye colour change procedure
A medical procedure that can permanently change a person's eye colour may be trending on social media, but a B.C. optometrist is warning about the significant risks associated.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
An airplane passenger was spotted in an overhead bin. This was the reaction
Airplane overhead compartments. Home to luggage of all shapes and sizes, the odd coat or two, several duty-free bags, a fair bit of dust and… passengers?
WATCH Infectious disease expert warns measles 'a very real threat'
A Canadian epidemiologist is warning the measles presents a 'very real threat' to public health if Canada doesn't maintain a high vaccination rate.
Judge considers dismissing indictment against Alec Baldwin in fatal shooting of cinematographer
A New Mexico judge is considering Alec Baldwin's request to dismiss a grand jury indictment against him at a virtual court hearing Friday.
LIVE @ 11:30 MT Four 1970s homicides linked to serial killer, Alberta Mounties to reveal Friday
A dead serial sexual offender and killer has been linked to four homicides in the 1970s in Alberta, RCMP say.