By James Matthews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Given their history collaborating, it only makes sense for the local and Peterborough health boards to merge.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) announced Feb. 28 that their respective health boards have given the nod to a voluntary merger.
As part of the process to bring the proposed merger to fruition, both boards will submit a joint voluntary merger application to the provincial government by April 2.
The application will spell out how a proposed merger would benefit the communities they serve, while supporting outcomes and priorities identified for public health by the Ministry of Health.
Mergers of public health units require provincial legislative change and, as such, this will not be definitive until the province has approved this and commits adequate funding for its success later in the year.
Both PPH and HKPR District Health Unit will continue to operate independently during the provincial review period.
The Ministry of Health announced in August 2023 plans to strengthen the public health sector by offering one-time funding, resources, and supports to public health agencies that decide to voluntarily merge by Jan. 1, 2025.
And that got the wheels turning on an effort to explore the effects of a merger of neighbouring boards.
In November 2023, a Joint Board Merger Exploration Working Group was established with representatives from both health units and external consulting firm Sense & Nous to prepare a comprehensive feasibility assessment report.
Findings were recently presented to both health boards for consideration.
Both boards said in a joint press release that, throughout the process, it was identified that both the HKPR District Health Unit and PPH have an extensive history of collaboration and share similar geographic, demographic, health status and population characteristics.
Both organizations are dedicated to reducing health inequities and addressing the most pressing public health challenges faced by the urban, rural, and Indigenous communities that they serve, according to the press release.
During their board meeting on Feb. 15, HKPR decided to proceed with a proposal to voluntary merge with the Peterborough crowd.
“We have been diligent in the timeframe provided to review and consider all possible outcomes and impacts of a voluntary merger,” said David Marshall, chairperson of the HKPR board.
“Ultimately, we agreed that by merging with Peterborough Public Health we can strengthen our capacity to deliver exceptional public health programs and services and to better respond to the unique needs of our small urban and rural communities.”
PPH’s board decided during its Feb. 21 meeting to proceed with a proposal to voluntary merger with HKPR.
“Over the past several months, we have carefully examined how a merger can strengthen the services that we provide to our communities,” said Joy Lachica, the Peterborough board’s chairperson.
“This process revealed that joining together offers us the best pathway possible to protect and promote public health and keep our residents healthy. We are thrilled to start this journey together.”
