Two mid-Michigan hospitals are considering joining forces.
Sparrow Health Systems and Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital are working on an agreement that would have both hospitals work together on what they describe as "operational, clinical, and programmatic services."
Both hospitals say a partnership will help each side better meet the needs of patients and doctors. They also say it will help save money at a time when they face economic challenges.
Sparrow is based in Lansing. HGB is based in Charlotte.
For those who live in Charlotte, HGB says the plan will make health care more accessible,
giving you more services right there in town.
Dennis Swan, President and CEO, Sparrow Health System: "There certainly will be some opportunities to have efficiencies, theres no question about that but the goal really is value enhancement and value in the eyes of a patient largely gets down to access-- as close to home as possible to quality care."
Matt Rush, HGB President and CEO: "This type of affiliation is a natural evolution for us, it just extends our collaborative spirit and we're honored to be working with sparrow more closely on that."
This is not a merger and that one hospital is not taking over the other; they are simply planning to work together on a more consistent basis.
From here, both sides are planning to sign a more formal agreement to do just that this Spring.
