Sisters of St. Martha, Nova Scotia Health continue transition planning at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital

Transition planning continues at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish.

Since the announcement of the conclusion of the Mission Assurance Agreement in March, the Sisters of St. Martha and Nova Scotia Health have been working together to find the best way forward in this transition. This work has been undertaken with the support of the Mission Assurance Advisory Council and the Department of Health and Wellness.

The work has included looking at St. Martha’s culture and identity, examining Nova Scotia Health policies and procedures and exploring ways to honour and celebrate the legacy of the Sisters and their service.

After many discussions and, given the changes to the Mission Assurance Agreement, Nova Scotia Health and the Sisters both agree that renaming the hospital is the next step that needs to be taken in transition planning.

As part of this transition, Nova Scotia Health is planning internal engagement sessions and activities for staff, physicians, learners and volunteers that will take place this month. They will focus on the following areas:

• St. Martha’s strengths and culture
• Supporting staff, physicians, learners and volunteers through the transition
• Honouring and celebrating the Sisters’ legacy and their service to the community
• Naming considerations reflecting the geography and future identity of the hospital, that align with Nova Scotia Health’s Facility Naming policy.

No decisions will be made during these sessions and activities, however input shared will be used to inform leadership planning, including naming considerations and transition supports.

During the transition, Nova Scotia Health and the Sisters will continue to work in partnership ensuring that healthcare continues to be provided with care, compassion and dignity at St. Martha’s.

Since 1996, the Sisters have served as sponsors of the Mission Assurance Agreement, an agreement held with them, the Department of Health and Wellness and Nova Scotia Health. The agreement will conclude on September 30, 2026.

A statement from the Sisters of St. Martha:

On September 30, 2026, the Mission Assurance Agreement between the Government of Nova Scotia and the Sisters of St. Martha will come to an end. 

The Sisters of St. Martha will no longer be sponsors of the St. Martha Regional Hospital Mission nor will St. Martha’s continue to be a Catholic hospital. The Government and Nova Scotia Health will align the services and policies of St. Martha’s Regional Hospital more closely with those of other hospitals across Nova Scotia. While this new direction marks the end of 120 years since the founding of the Hospital by the Sisters it is our hope and trust that the hospital will continue to serve the people of the Town and County of Antigonish, Guysborough, Inverness and Richmond counties, with the values of compassion, competent care, respect and inclusion that are embedded in its very core. 

The conversation around moving forward was a difficult one for the Sisters of St. Martha as it has the emotional attachment of 120 years of our 125 years of existence as a Congregation. We are committed to working with Nova Scotia Health in implementing this transition. 

To assist in the transition the Congregation has decided that the name of St. Martha will be removed from the Hospital. The Authorities will undertake the renaming process in accordance with the Nova Scotia Health Facility Naming Policy. 

The Sisters are pleased that the ministry of Spiritual and Religious Care will remain as a blessing for people of all faith traditions. In the coming months, the Sisters will work closely with the Department of Health and Wellness and Nova Scotia Health to design creative ways to celebrate the 120-year history of St. Martha’s Regional Hospital. This memory will be a source of encouragement for the Hospital community to live the legacy of the Sisters and St. Martha long into the future.