MATER across South-East, Central and North Queensland has merged to form the state’s largest Catholic not-for-profit healthcare provider.
The July 1 merger saw Mercy Health and Aged Care in Central Queensland, Mater Health Services in North Queensland, and Mater Misericordiae Limited in South East Queensland join forces under one mission to serve the community by providing compassionate care.
Leaders of the new entity said Mater’s new single collective network was set to bring great benefit for Queenslanders by collaborating the organisation’s statewide expertise and services.
This would flow from the alignment of resources and “deliver consistently high standards of care across our entire statewide network, from major metropolitan centres, to regional and remote communities”.
Mater chief executive officer Dr Peter Steer said connecting regions across the state would expand Mater’s capability for effective change across the organisation’s four ministries – health, education, research and foundation.
“Today not only marks a significant step forward for Mater as an organisation but will see our network become stronger than ever in our ability to make a real difference to people’s lives right across Queensland,” Dr Steer said on July 1.
“Bringing together collective expertise and services in health, education, research and foundation from across the state means we will welcome greater capacity for innovative ways of providing the highest standards of care.”
Backed by the rich historic foundations built by the Sisters of Mercy, Dr Steer said the transition marked a historic link between Mater’s longstanding heritage and a roadmap for the future.
“Since the Sisters of Mercy founded Mater in 1906, a long line of history has followed to consistently work to meet unmet community needs,” Dr Steer said.
“We are deeply proud of our heritage and will continue to honour this legacy as we welcome an exciting step forward toward finding new ways to respond to the changing needs of the communities we serve.
“As we join forces across the regions, we come together under one mission to empower people to live better lives through improved health and wellbeing.”
To acknowledge the historic occasion, all Mater locations shared commemorative gifts with their staff and hosted a prayer ritual to officially acknowledge the merger
