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
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.