Health board officials have decided not to proceed with a proposed voluntary merger of public health units in Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton.
The boards of health for Lambton Public Health (LPH) and Chatham-Kent Public Health (CKPH) said on Thursday that they have reviewed the findings from an independent consulting firm, which “found no compelling reason for the two health units to undertake a merger at this time.”
As a result, both health boards have decided to continue as independent health units embedded within their municipalities.
Discussions around a possible merger were prompted in December 2023 when the Ontario Ministry of Health announced one-time funding, resources, and support to local public health agencies that choose to merge voluntarily.
“While we have made the decision not to move forward with a merger at this time, the review has demonstrated the desire for ongoing partnership and collaboration with Lambton Public Health as we support each other to reach the vision for our communities,” said Brock McGregor, chair for the Chatham-Kent Board of Health, in a news release.
Going forward, both health boards said they have directed administration to explore potential partnerships and increased collaboration between the two health units.
