The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has granted approval for the UAB Health System Authority to acquire Ascension St Vincent’s Health System in central Alabama, US.

This strategic move aims to ensure sustained access to quality healthcare for patients in Birmingham and its surrounding communities.

Under the agreement, UAB Health System Authority will take over all Ascension St Vincent’s care sites.

This includes its hospitals in Blount, Birmingham, Chilton, East, and St Clair, in addition to the Trussville Freestanding Emergency Department, the One Nineteen Campus and numerous imaging centres and clinics under Ascension Medical Group.

The acquisition encompasses all services, caregivers, associates and facilities of Ascension St Vincent, including a comprehensive network of providers serving the central Alabama region.

Both UAB Health System Authority and Ascension St Vincent will maintain communication with patients, caregivers, associates, employees, and community partners throughout the transition process.

Expected to be finalised in late 2024, the acquisition is subject to obtaining standard regulatory approvals, fulfilling closing conditions, and receiving approval from the Catholic Church.

Until the completion of the transaction, both UAB Health System and Ascension St Vincent will continue to operate as usual while planning for a seamless transition.

UAB Health System has a statewide network of 17 hospitals, which are owned as well as affiliated.

Ascension St Vincent CEO and Ascension senior vice-president Jason Alexander said: “It became clear that adding Ascension St Vincent’s to UAB Health System’s network of owned hospitals – and combining and optimising our collective strengths – is the solution to ensure that our community retains access to sustainable, high-quality healthcare.

“Among other benefits, patients will gain access to a larger network of local services through UAB.”