Hospital trusts merge in bid to ‘improve care’

University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) and Heart of England (HEFT) Foundation Trusts have announced that they are going to work together to create a single organisation.

The outcome will be one Trust running the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals, the Chest Clinic and Solihull Community Services, as well as the Trusts’ satellite services.

If both Trusts’ Boards agree, then the next step will be to decide on the best way to create one legal entity to deliver the best clinical care for patients, either through a merger or acquisition.

Dame Julie Moore, Chief Executive of both UHB and HEFT, said: “We have agreed that the current arrangements are not sustainable. If we are to continue working together to maximise clinical benefits for patients, we need to implement a transformation that will deliver better access to better quality services for patients, supported by the most effective structure.

“Patients are not getting that at the moment despite the tireless work of staff across both trusts. We need our hospitals and services focussed on doing the best for patients, not protecting their organisational boundaries.

“The single Trust will pool the best talent and leadership from both organisations. We will make the best use of the finite resources available.

“The work undertaken between the two Trusts has so far provided greater sustainability and certainty for patients, the public and the health economy in the long term. The single organisation will build on this.”

Read more: http://www.itv.com/news/central/2016-09-05/hospital-trusts-merge-in-bid-to-improve-care/