The proposed merger between North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is now in its advanced stages after passing three major approval checkpoints this week.
- Receipt of approval to proceed from NHS England, with specific recognition of the benefits merger brings across our 4Ps – our people, patients, population and the public purse. NHS England has officially issued us with a ‘Green’ risk rating. This is very rare and reflects high degrees of confidence in our merger.
- Final approvals by the Group Board to proceed with the merger by acquisition.
- And earlier today, at an Extraordinary Meeting, our UHBW Council of Governors also approved the decision and confirmed that a robust process has been followed with appropriate account taken of the interests of its members and the public.
Final approval to merge our two Trusts must come nationally from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. We anticipate this will be about a week prior to our target date of 1 July.
If granted, NBT and UHBW can merge and become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.
Merging our two Trusts unlocks an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single organisation, we will deliver better outcomes for our patients, more opportunities for our people, fairer care for our population, and best value for the public purse.