Merger of Poole, Royal Bournemouth & Christchurch hospital trusts confirmed

The Royal Bournemouth Hospital is one of the sites involved in the merger

The legal orders confirming the merger of two hospital trusts in Dorset have been issued by NHS England and NHS Improvement.

The confirmation of the joining of the 'Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust' and The 'Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust' comes after agreement from the board of directors and the council of governors of both trusts on Tuesday 15th September.

Poole Hospital in Dorset

The merger to create the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust will take place on Thursday 1st October.

The joint Chief Executive of the two trusts, Debbie Fleming, said it was fantastic news.

A spokesperson for the The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said that NHS England and NHS Improvement completed their review of the merger last week and wrote that they were satisfied that the merger would enable quicker decision making and implementation of change.

The merger comes into force on 1st October 2020

A number of groups and organisations have been involved in negotiating the merger.

However, the Defend Dorset NHS group, which was against the merger, said that it will continue to press its case for access to more local healthcare provision.

The campaigners are worried that the changes will mean even longer distances for patients from the Purbeck area including locations such as Swanage - who might have to travel to Bournemouth or Dorchester for healthcare instead of being able to travel to Poole Hospital which is closer to their homes.