Three hospital trusts to discuss merger plans

Basildon, Southend and Broomfield hospital trusts in Essex are to discuss merger proposals that would create one of the largest NHS trusts.

The boards will meet soon to approve the formal start of the process.

A merger would ‘modernise services’ and make care ‘more reliable and safe’ for patients, a report said.

But a campaign group said the move would reduce the number of services and affect staff pay.

According to board papers, the three trusts have a combined financial deficit of over £49 million.

A new organisation covering all three areas could be in place by April 2019.

A report said research identified below-average performance in areas including cancer waiting times and patient experiences.

If approved, the new trust would have to serve over 1.1 million people across Essex, and employ over 14,000 staff.

The hospitals have worked together since 2016, and are run by a joint executive group.

Clare Panniker, chief executive, said a number of options had been tested in a ‘rigorous appraisal process’. She said ‘the recommended option is to work as one organisation’.

Mike Fieldhouse, secretary of Save Southend NHS, said the group was very much opposed to the merger.

He said: “This would inevitably lead to a reduction in the number of services available locally to patients plus the potential implications for staff contracts, conditions and pay are huge, too.”