Don't move forward with MUHC merger, report says

In what is a shared consensus among hospital-affiliated staff, a new report has found that there is "almost no interest" in the possibility of a McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) merger.

The contentious proposal to fusethe MUHC and two regional authorities, the West Island andWest Centralhealth boards, under the same banner was at the centre of a 41-page report, ordered by Quebec Health Minister GatanBarrette after months of rumours.

"The absence of interest in other structural changes at this time is almost unanimous,"the report says.

On the heels of major healthcare reform across the province, the report recommends"no other mergers or structural reorganization" of the MUHCat this time.

It was penned by St. Mary's Hospital former executive director and CEO Dr.ArvindJoshi and comes aftersix months of consultations with medical staff, volunteers and patients.The final report was submitted in April, but it was only made public this week.

• MUHC patients' committee worried about 'rumoured' hospital merger

The report also concludes that the MUHC'semployees and professionals feel "targeted and demoralized," and that itscurrent leadershipis facing "several challenges" as the network struggles with a budget shortfall.

Urging quick action,it recommends that the leadership and budget "be turned around" and that "necessary decisions be made definitely and immediately."

The MUHChas been without a CEO since September, when Normand Rinfret stepped down.Barrette suspended the search for a new CEO in October, until a decision about the merger could bemade.

No merger, says Barrette

When it comes to a possible merger,Barrette told CBC that the "take home message is quite clear" in the wake ofJoshi'sreport.

"Because of that, it's not my intention to go any further regarding that possibility," said Barrette.

In June,Premier PhilippeCouillardalso said that he wouldn't forcea merger at theMUHC, adding that "if it happens, it won't come from us."

• MUHCstaff cuts affecting patient care, surgeons warn

As it stands, nineMcGill-affiliatedhospitalsare under three different jurisdictions:

• The Montreal Chest Institute, MontrealChildren's Hospital, Montreal General Hospital,Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal Neurological Institute and theLachineHospital all fall under theMUHCbanner.
• TheDouglas Mental HealthUniversity Instituteand St. Mary's Hospital are part of theMontrealWest Island health board(CIUSSSdel'Ouest-de-l'le-de-Montral).
• The Jewish General Hospital is part ofWest CentralMontreal Health(CIUSSSCentre-Ouest-de-l'Ile-de-Montral).

Other recommendations in the report include studying the impact of recent health care reforms within the English-language hospital network in Montreal and creating auniform information system to ensure continuity of patient services across different hospitals.