RWJBarnabas Health and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have proposed a strategic alliance that would create an improved network of pediatric care serving central and northern New Jersey.

Leaders say the deal would improve access, delivery, quality and efficiency of pediatric health services and create the most comprehensive pediatric health network in the region. No funds or ownership will be exchanged. The deal will unite West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health’s three children’s hospitals with CHOP, which has 535 beds and was the nation’s first pediatric hospital. The system said a formal partnership agreement is expected to be finalized in the near future, but didn’t specify when.