Grand River Hospital, St. Mary’s General Hospital propose to merge as one organization

Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital have agreed to explore a voluntary merger into one hospital corporation.

The proposed merger would include operating existing hospital sites and services while continuing to move forward with their joint Building the Future of Care Together project.

Both hospital boards have independently voted in favour of this new merger with the idea supported by the Board of Directors at St. Joseph’s Health System Corporation, in which St. Mary’s is a division. Both hospitals will now go through due diligence regarding the planned, voluntary merger with consultation from the Ontario Ministry of Health.

“Our goal in joining together is to provide our communities with faster, improved access to modern, fully integrated care,” Tim Rollins, St. Mary’s Board of Trustees Chair, said in a media release. “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.”

The hospitals said that in consultation with patients, team members, physicians and community members, the hospitals were urged to consider the benefits of merging for patients to access care easier.

If the merger is approved by the hospital and corporation boards, as well as, the Ontario Ministry of Health, the transition would take about one year. The merger wouldn’t take effect until spring 2025.

Part of the planning process would be deciding on a new name and identity of the new organization with input from the community and each hospital’s teams.

“St. Joseph’s Health System is excited to work with partners to adapt, innovate and continue to support the community, guided by our legacy of mission-based care through compassionate care, faith and discovery,” Roger Fulton, St. Joseph’s Health System Corporation Board Chair, said . “Together, we are responding to the community’s call to revitalize services, advocate for change and transform the health care system.”