Why has NHS Improvement delayed a long-planned merger of two FTs?
NHS Improvement has delayed a planned merger of two neighbouring foundation trusts.
The trusts, Derby Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust (FT) and Burton Hospitals FT, which are in different sustainability and transformation partnerships, were expected to complete their merger by 1 April, the Health Service Journal has reported.
The planned merger is the second to be delayed in in recent weeks; the merger of South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare FT and Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Partnership Trust, which was due to complete by 1 April, has been delayed until the summer.
The Competition and Markets Authority agreed in March 2017 to the Burton trusts’ merger, but the move has been delayed after NHS Improvement’s provider review committee said it would need more financial information before giving approval.
A spokesperson for the trusts said it was hoped approval would be given in time for the merger to go live by 1 July, following final approval from both trust boards.
Further information
Burton Derby Collaboration: Homepage
HSJ: Hospital trusts merger delayed by NHS Improvement
HSJ: Milestone trust merger delayed until summer
NHS Improvement: Homepage