By Rosalind Russell – Two large health units will not be merging.
Yesterday afternoon, the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts met to consider and vote on a motion to merge with Algoma Public Health.
According to the release, board members voted unanimously in favour of developing a joint business case to propose to the Ministry of Health a merger of the two health agencies.
Earlier in the day, however, the Algoma board voted against merging.
Without both boards agreeing to merge, a voluntary merger between the two will not take place and no proposal will go to the government.
Following direction from the Board of Health in November 2023, the two engaged in a feasibility study funded by the Ministry of Health. Officials say the study gathered information exploring the merits and risks of a merger, which was the basis for each board making their own decision yesterday.
Photo: Public Health Sudbury & Districts supports a merger with Algoma, but Algoma turned down the proposal. Photo provided by PHSD