Partners HealthCare to acquire Care New England

Boston-based integrated system Partners HealthCare will acquire Care New England Health System of Providence, R.I.

The two not-for-profit systems last week said they have signed a letter of intent to negotiate a deal just a few months after Care New England’s proposed merger with New Bedford, Mass.-based Southcoast Health System fell through.

The deal with Partners would include Care New England-owned facilities Kent Hospital in Warwick, R.I.; Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island in Providence; VNA of Care New England in Warwick; Butler Hospital in Providence; and the Providence Center in several locations across the state.

Negotiations are just beginning and it could take two to three months before a definitive agreement is reached, said Care New England President Dennis Keefe.