A health unit merger first discussed about five years ago is closer to reality as the boards of the Brant County Health Unit and the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit plan to become one board.
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The two boards announced Friday in news releases that they will sign a letter of intent to merge in order to enhance public health capacity, improve service delivery and align with a shared network of community-based partners.
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It’s also a move to avoid an imposed merger by the province and to take advantage of offered funding.
Susan Brown, chair of the board of health in Brant, said the merger should “strengthen public health services, improve community health outcomes and build a healthier future for everyone.”
Brown said “meticulous and extensive work” from the health board employees involved provided vital information for the boards to make informed decisions.
She also thanked the Ministry of Health since the discussions have been funded due to a one-time offer from the government, made in 2023, enticing public health agencies to merge by Jan. 1, 2025 in exchange for funds, resources and support.
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A BCHU and HNHU merger has been part of discussions since 2019 when Ontario said it wanted to reduce 35 health units to just 10, including bringing together Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Niagara and Hamilton – the same general area covered by the Local Health Integrated Network , or LHIN.
As noted in a news release from the HNHU board, health board mergers are “voluntary at this point” but municipalities have received “clear indication” that the regionalization of public health is a priority of the province.
“If voluntary mergers are not considered, the potential for a merger to be imposed – and without the current funding – is a distinct possibility.”
Recent discussions between BCHU and HNHU have also included Southwestern Public Health, which covers Oxford and Elgin Counties, along with the city of St. Thomas.
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Brown indicated SPH’s board voted against the merger but she said the consultation process “strengthened our relationships and mutual understanding.”
Only the Brant board, at a meeting on April 17, and the Haldimand-Norfolk board, on April 23, voted to pursue a business case to merge.
Some of the improvements discussed include a recognition that a merged public health board would be more in line with existing school boards and the recently merged children’s aid services, Child and Family Services of Grand Erie.
The two boards share many characteristics and population traits and could realize savings and efficiencies.
Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin, who is the chair of the HNHU board, said the proposed merger solidifies a number of existing alignments between the two boards.
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“We are excited about the future of our health units as we join forces to become even stronger and continue delivering exceptional service and advocacy to our residents.”
Martin issued special thanks to the board at SPH for its participation and dedication to the merger discussions.
“While our boards may have reached different decisions, the variety of viewpoints shared throughout our discussions provides a solid foundation for our future cooperation.”
Under the current governance model, Norfolk council acts as the board of health for both Haldimand and Norfolk counties. In recent years, Haldimand has sought a bigger voice at the board.
In a news release, Haldimand Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley said “As both agencies work through next steps, Haldimand Council will continue to advocate for an independent voice within the governance model of a merged Board of Health to ensure the interests of Haldimand residents are heard and considered.”
@EXPSGamble
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