Our Mission
Working together with communities across our region through charitable support to ensure Hanover and District Hospital can provide exceptional care to all who need it.
Our Vision
To strengthen access to quality rural healthcare by empowering communities across our region to give, connect, and care.
Our Values
Community | Compassion | Collaboration | Achieving More by Working Together
Who We Are
Our History
The story of Hanover and District Hospital begins with a powerful act of generosity.
In 1923, early community leader, Hanover’s first mayor, and local furniture manufacturer Daniel Knechtel made a remarkable gift in memory of his late wife. Recognizing that a thriving community needed access to local healthcare, he and his son Jacob Knechtel donated their family estate, surrounding lands, and $7,500 — equivalent to more than $100,000 today — to establish what would become Hanover Memorial Hospital.
This act of philanthropy laid the foundation for healthcare in our region. The original hospital served the community for fifty years before a new, modern facility was constructed in 1973, where the hospital continues to operate today.
Inspired by that original gift, the Hanover and District Hospital Foundation was incorporated in 1989 as a registered charity to ensure the hospital would always have the resources needed to provide exceptional care.
Today, the Foundation carries forward that legacy by bringing together donors, businesses, volunteers, and community partners who believe in the importance of strong, accessible healthcare close to home.
What began with one family's generosity has grown into a community-wide commitment to supporting the health and well-being of our region.
Our Hospital
Hanover and District Hospital is a vital healthcare hub serving communities across Grey and Bruce counties. As one of the few 24/7 Emergency Departments in the region, the hospital provides essential care for thousands of patients every year.
HDH offers a wide range of services and specialized programs, including:
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24/7 Emergency Department
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Acute Care Unit, including medical and surgical beds and a multipurpose ICU
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Family Centred Birthing Unit
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Surgical Services Department
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Diagnostic Imaging
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Hemodialysis Unit
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Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Services
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Palliative Care Services
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Diabetes Grey Bruce Education Centre
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Laboratory Services
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Outpatient Specialty Clinics
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Flex Clinic
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In-patient Pharmacy
The hospital’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its accreditation achievements. Hanover and District Hospital has received “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” from Accreditation Canada in four consecutive surveys (2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025) — the highest designation possible.
Achieving this distinction four times places HDH among an elite group of hospitals across Canada and reflects the dedication of its board, physicians, staff, and volunteers to continually exceed national healthcare standards. Through the generosity of the community and the leadership of the hospital team, Hanover and District Hospital continues to provide compassionate, high-quality care to patients and families across our region.