Lindsay and Peterborough hospitals set for merger
The Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay have agreed to a proposal to blend the two hospitals into a single hospital network with two sites.
Both institutions have declared their mutual intention for the proposal, following submissions of a joint directional plan laid out by the board of directors of the Central East Local Health Integration Network.
A final decision has not been made, and the proposed integration is subject to ongoing due diligence, stakeholder engagement and approvals by the boards of both RMH and PRHC; by the board of directors of the Central East LHIN; and by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
The two hospitals have long worked together to jointly deliver care for the region’s patients, according to a press release. Partnerships and collaborations between the two organizations already exist in such areas as diagnostic imaging, lab medicine, dialysis services, mental health, obstetrics and pediatrics, ophthalmology and orthopedics.
On March 28, the Central East LHIN board passed a motion directing PRHC and RMH to explore opportunities for integration between the two organizations, including the delivery of clinical and front-line services, back-office functions, leadership and governance.
The same motion directed the development of a joint directional plan to guide the formal process between the two organizations.
The plan outlines the necessary conditions and steps that will result in the submission of an integration proposal to the boards of Ross Memorial, PRHC and ultimately, the Central East LHIN.
It establishes broad business objectives and general direction, and describes the key elements anticipated in implementing the integration planning process, as required by the Central East LHIN board.
“An integration of this nature would put us among the top tier of large community hospitals in Ontario, giving us a stronger voice in attracting new programming and resources from the LHIN and the province, as well as increasing our attractiveness to prospective employees,” PRHC president and CEO Dr. Peter McLaughlin stated.
Ross Memorial president and CEO Dr. Bert Lauwers, reached this morning in Saskatchewan, said visitors to the hospital are still going to see “the Ross they’ve come to know.”
The hospital has a unique per-
sonality based on its identity in the community and that goes back to the beginning of Ross Memorial and James Ross himself. “That’s not going away,” he said.
People coming to the hospital to receive care will still see the same people who provided care in prior years. There have been existing partnerships in place that have worked well for a long time.
Last month, Lauwers told City of Kawartha Lakes council that under any partnership, Ross Memorial would keep its name.
Through integration, the two hospitals would be working together rather than against each other, Lauwers said. It would end the practice of competing for staff, and it could benefit both hospitals in attracting new services to the area.
“Currently, we are competing for the same nursing positions,” he said.
As an integrated hospital, they would be able to be in the top tier of large community hospitals in the province, giving them a stronger voice in attracting new programming and resources from the LHIN and the Province.
A series of public meetings is being scheduled in the Peterborough and Lindsay areas. An online survey will also be launched next month to collect feedback from stakeholders and the public.
Those interested are invited to submit their questions and comments by emailing integration@rmh.org or integration@prhc.on.ca.
Following the consultation period, hospital leaders intend to submit a proposal to the Central East LHIN in September.
Under current provincial legislation, both the Central East LHIN and the hospitals within it have a legal duty to identify and explore opportunities for integration of the services they provide for patients.
Ross Memorial and PRHC have a shared goal of creating an integrated system of health care services that is responsive to the needs of the population, provides appropriate access, delivers safe, high-quality care for patients and their families, and uses resources efficiently so that these services are sustainable into the future, the press release states.