Sentara and Southside hospital to merge

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - Halifax Regional Health System in Southside Virginia has agreed to merge with Norfolk-based Sentara Healthcare.

The South Boston-based health system is composed of a 192-bed hospital and three long-term care facilities. If the merger gains regulatory approval, it would bring Sentara's network of hospitals to 11. Sentara operates seven hospitals in Hampton Roads, one in northern Virginia and two in the Blue Ridge region.

Halifax Regional Health System announced that its board of directors unanimously agreed to the merger on Friday.

The health system says the merger would help with its staff recruitment, enhance technological upgrades and enable the purchase of supplies and equipment at a lower cost, among other things. A closing on the deal is expected in early spring.