Community input wanted on plan to merge Grand River, St. Mary’s General hospitals

A community town hall will be held next week on a plan to merge Grand River and St. Mary’s General hospitals in Kitchener.

The hospitals announced their merger proposal in April after their boards endorsed the move. Both hospitals would continue to operate, but under a single hospital corporation.

St. Mary’s General Hospital CEO and President, Mark Fam, said it’s a natural next step as the two organizations get ready to open a new joint hospital together.

“As we fast forward 10 years, when the new hospital opens, we want to make sure that we’ve done all the work in advance to deliver a great service to the community,” Fam said while appearing on The Mike Farwell Show on Wednesday.

Ron Gagnon, President and CEO of Grand River Hospital, said the two hospitals already work together on several fronts, including sharing integrated medical staff and an information system.

The community town hall will take place June 18 at the Kitchener Public Library on Queen Street North in downtown Kitchener. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.

In addition to answering questions and hearing feedback, the hospitals will provide an update on their merger proposal.

The town hall will also be livestreamed online and an online survey is now available for the public to share input.

As for the plan to open a new joint hospital in K-W, Gagnon said negotiations are continuing around two preferred sites and he is hopeful they will be able to make an announcement in the next couple of months.