INGERSOLL, ON & TILLSONBURG, ON - On December 20, 2024, the Boards of Directors of Alexandra Hospital, Ingersoll (AHI) and Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH) received support from the Ministry of Health (MOH), regarding the proposal for full integration of AHI and TDMH under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (ONCA). Our communication of this had been under strict embargo by the MOH until late last week.
What does this mean for us? The MOH has given approval for AHI and TDMH to integrate under a new integration name, Rural Roads Health Services, with each site maintaining its individual name. The proposed integration date is April 1, 2026.
Over the next year, steps will be taken towards a common board, one professional staff organization and further internal administrative integration (where possible). New integrated branding is in development in partnership with the Oxford County Communications Team.
As per the Boards of Directors, the key benefits of this integration are:
- The strength of two hospitals coming together voluntarily in a large, complex health care system
- Improving the sustainability of two small hospitals serving local communities
- Improving patient care and patient experience
- Integrating computer systems and digital solutions
- Reducing duplication; standardization of policies and processes
The Boards remain steadfast in their commitments in this integration including:
- Retaining TWO sites (namely, AHI and TDMH)
- Retaining TWO Foundations (namely, Alexandra Hospital Foundation and the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Foundation)
- Collective agreements will be respected and changes to staff’s working conditions will be negotiated through union leaders as part of the collective agreement negotiations
- Non-unionized staff will be engaged in ongoing dialogue about their working conditions and changes will not occur without consultation and dialogue
- Collective clinical service planning at the strategic level will occur as part of strategic planning, including community consultation
- Engaging team members throughout the process fostering a more cohesive culture across both hospitals
- Frequent, timely, and transparent communication
- Maintaining or improving quality of care and safety
- Improving access to care for our patients
- Strategically re-investing in infrastructure and care
- Contributing to improving the health care system
- Living within our means
Where we are today is an evolution of many years of strong partnership and intentional planning and engagement with staff, physicians, patients, partners, volunteers, and the community. We are excited about becoming one integrated organization with two local sites. Through this, we are strengthening the sustainability of rural small community hospitals in the ever-changing health care landscape.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to the communities we serve,
Watch this short video below to hear more about the journey so far:
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