LOCAL NEWS: Local hospital NHS Foundation Trusts confirm merger

From Thursday 1 October 2020 Poole NHS Foundation Trust and The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be uniting to create University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. 

The plans were reviewed and approved by the boards of directors and councils of governors representing the hospital trusts on Tuesday 15 December, and have been legally authorised by NHS England Improvement. 

In completing their review, NHS England and Improvement stated they were satisfied that the change will speed up the time it takes to make reach decisions and make changes. Ultimately, they believe this will allow them to improve the services they provide for their patients. 

Debbie Fleming, joint Chief Executive said: “This is fantastic news. We are delighted that this is happening as we believe our merger will help our three hospitals to provide even better care, and develop world-class services as we become a university hospital trust working with Bournemouth University. Our new organisation will allow us to work better together to tackle Covid-19 and realise our ambitious plans for the future.

“We appreciate there will be a lot of work to be done to bring our trusts together and this will go along side our capital plans and the reconfiguration of services but much of this is well underway and is progressing well. Our organisation development programme centres around developing a shared set of values and creating a strong positive culture together, and we have an ambitious three year plan for taking this forwards.”

David Moss, joint Chairman, is feeling positive about the changes and the benefits it should bring for patients: “We thank all our partners, including Dorset Healthcare, Dorset County Hospital, our local councils, South Western Ambulance Service and the Dorset CCG. We look forward to continuing to work closely together as part of the Our Dorset Integrated Care System to realise the full benefits of our merger and our bright future together as University Hospitals Dorset.”