Frequently Asked Questions
On July 18, 2011 the Boards of Directors of St. John’s Rehab Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre announced they had reached a voluntary agreement on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would merge the two organizations following the acceptable results of a due diligence process, and approval from the Toronto Central and Central Local Health Integration Networks and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Below are some of the more common questions and answers people have raised thus far about the proposed merger.
- Why are the organizations proposing to voluntarily merge?
- Why now?
- Does this mean St. John's Rehab is closing?
- Will this save money?
- Will St. John's Rehab keep its name?
- Sunnybrook recently underwent a very unpopular merger that eventually dissolved, how is this one different?
- What is the difference between an integration and a merger?
- Will St. John's Rehab continue to focus on rehabilitation?
- Will only Sunnybrook patients be referred to St. John's Rehab?
- How will this impact Sunnybrook's and St. John's Rehab's program structure?
- How will specific initiatives and services be handled?
- Does this change the strategic planning work of either organization?
- Will the Sisters of St. John the Divine continue to be involved at St. John's Rehab?
- What will happen to the Foundations?
- How will the relationship with the University of Toronto be affected as a result of this merger?
- What happens next?
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Why are the organizations proposing to voluntarily merge?
St. John’s Rehab and Sunnybrook have highly complementary programs and services that will offer patients a seamless, continuum of care from acute injury or illness, through to rehabilitation and recovery. The two organizations already have partnerships in place and have worked together for a number of years. Together, the two hospitals have built a continuum of care for survivors of severe burns and cancer, which have led to excellent outcomes for patients. A merger is a natural evolution of this relationship.
The hospitals also have staff, physicians and leadership in common. The hospitals believe this proposed merger will benefit patient care and enhance the research and teaching available in both institutions. A merger would also give both hospitals access to resources not currently available to them; such as the rehab expertise currently at St. John’s Rehab; and the laboratory, diagnostic services and acute care expertise currently at Sunnybrook.
to topWhy now?
Right now, both organizations are in excellent positions to consider a move of this nature. Both have had years of stability and they are looking for the next step in their evolution as teaching, research and patient care organizations. The complementary nature of the organizational cultures and programs and services in both Hospitals makes them great partners. The timing seems to be right and both organizations want to move in this direction.
Does this mean St. John’s Rehab is closing?
No – quite the opposite. St. John’s Rehab is about to open a new facility and this will go ahead as planned. Both organizations recognize the vital importance of rehabilitation care in rebuilding lives and are committed to maintaining the availability of rehab for patients. The St. John’s Rehab campus will continue to be used for rehabilitation and other forms of post-acute patient care, research and education.
Will this save money?
There will be efficiency savings that both organizations can realize as a result of this merger but the details of where and how much have not been sorted out and will take a number of months to better understand. The merger will not cost taxpayers more money. Both St. John’s Rehab and Sunnybrook have had relative financial stability over the past few years and both are efficient organizations. The specifics about how the savings will be achieved will be worked out over the next few months. St. John’s Rehab and Sunnybrook are committed to treating staff fairly in all instances.
Will St. John’s Rehab keep its name?
Yes. The St. John’s Rehab name will remain the same but it will be branded in a similar manner to the named programs at Sunnybrook such as the Holland Musculoskeletal Program, Odette Cancer Centre and Schulich Heart Centre.
Sunnybrook recently underwent a very unpopular merger that eventually dissolved, how is this one different?
It is difficult to compare the 1998 mergers that stemmed from the Health Care Restructuring Commission with what is taking place today. In 1998, organizations had legislated amalgamations with other institutions and there was very little choice in the matter. The merger of St. John’s Rehab and Sunnybrook is a voluntary merger where there are complementary programs and services in both organizations. Mergers are always more successful when the parties want to join together. In this case, the two organizations are willing and highly motivated to merge their expertise into one.
What is the difference between an integration and a merger?
The two hospitals are using the words integration and merger interchangeably. In either case, we are talking about bringing the two organizations together to become a single, comprehensive health care provider. The specifics of the organizational structure will be sorted out in the coming weeks and months.
Will St. John’s Rehab continue to focus on rehabilitation?
Yes. Sunnybrook and St. John’s Rehab are moving towards a possible merger because both organizations recognize the importance of specialized rehabilitation and want to improve access and quality of care for patients. Both organizations recognize the important rehabilitation expertise that exists at St. John’s Rehab. One of the core principles of the MOU is that there continue to be a focus on rehabilitation and post-acute patient care, research and education at the St. John’s Rehab site.
Will only Sunnybrook patients be referred to St. John’s Rehab?
No. St. John’s Rehab serves several communities and has partnerships in place with many organizations. St. John’s Rehab will continue to be accessible to its current major referral sources across LHINs. Likewise, patients from Sunnybrook are able to choose where they will go for rehabilitation, as long as a suitable program exists. For example, patients may wish to receive rehabilitation care closer to their homes.
How will this impact Sunnybrook’s and St. John’s Rehab’s program structure?
Sunnybrook and St. John’s Rehab have very complementary programs and services. In many cases, the programs offered at Sunnybrook – including burn, trauma, cancer and stroke care – have a rehabilitation component at St. John’s Rehab, so there will be a natural fit with many of the existing programs and services.
How will specific initiatives and services be handled?
It can take a great deal of time for organizations to sort out all aspects of a merger. In some cases, decisions will be made in the short-term, and in others, specific decisions cannot happen until the merger has been completed and there has been an opportunity to fully assess the organization’s needs. Both hospitals have great things to offer our patients, our staff and our communities and this will continue to be the case. More information will come to light as the process evolves.
Does this change the strategic planning work of either organization?
Eventually, the strategic plans of both organizations will have to evolve to consider the direction of the new organization but currently, the planning that has been presented to the Sunnybrook Board of Directors in May 2011 will continue to be developed over the summer months. St. John’s Rehab will continue to move forward with its 2009-2014 strategic plan for the time being.
Will the Sisters of St. John the Divine continue to be involved at St. John’s Rehab?
Yes. The agreement includes language that ensures the Sisters will continue to be involved in patient care at St. John’s Rehab. In addition, the Sisters will be represented on the Board of Directors of the merged organization.
What will happen to the Foundations?
At this point, the Foundations are discussing details of what will make the most sense for their future fundraising efforts. The Foundations are separate corporations from the hospitals. At the present time, the foundations are not planning to merge in the short term.
How will the relationship with the University of Toronto be affected as a result of this merger?
Sunnybrook has a full affiliation with the University of Toronto and in fact the land the Bayview Campus is on is actually owned by the University. St. John’s Rehab has a teaching affiliation with U of T and this will be enhanced with the Sunnybrook merger. Research, education and teaching opportunities will continue to grow under the new organization.
What happens next?
We continue to consult with our stakeholders such as referring organizations, academic partners, donors and our local community. A clinical integration committee has been established to work through the details of how we would bring our clinical services together.
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