Chai Brady
Ireland’s largest private healthcare group, founded by the Bon Secours, is in advanced talks regarding a merger with one of the largest health groups in the US founded by the same order.
Bon Secours Health Systems in Ireland have signed a letter of intent and plan to finalise an agreement over the coming months with Bon Secours Mercy Health.
Although the mission statement of the two are largely similar, the US group explicitly mention as one of their core values a commitment to the “sacredness of life”.
The Irish group says: “Founded by the Sisters of Bon Secours, our hospitals have as their mission care for the sick, the dying and their families within a Catholic ethos.
“Inspired by the Gospel and sharing in the healing mission of Jesus, we recognise the dignity and uniqueness of each person, seeking to provide high-quality holistic care characterised by compassion, respect, justice and hope.”
However they make no specific mention of upholding the sacredness of life.
According to a statement from Bon Secours Health System seen by this paper the merger is expected to be complete by this summer. They added: “Bon Secours Mercy Health and Bon Secours Health System share a common foundation, mission and values and can learn a lot from each as the global health care environment continues to evolve.”
They did not comment on whether there would be any rewording of the Irish group’s mission statement.
Acute hospitals
The merger would create a health group with more than 60,000 employees. Bon Secours Health Systems has a network of five acute hospitals in Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Tralee and treats more than 280,000 patients each year.
In a joint statement they said: “The organisations are currently exploring a merger that would allow for best practice sharing and economies of scale across the globe.”
In the US, Bon Secours Mercy Health is among the 20 largest health systems and employs more than 57,000 staff in 43 hospitals and 1,000 sites of care across seven states: Ohio, Kentucky, New York, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida and Maryland.
“As consumers across the globe experience a dynamic and ever-changing health care marketplace, Bon Secours Mercy Health is committed to expanding its footprint to bring good help to more patients and communities,” said John Starcher Jr., president and CEO of Bon Secours Mercy Health.