In just three days, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust are set to merge to create a new partnership in the North West of England.
The two organisations have been in a long-term collaboration since the middle of the pandemic and, following approval from the health secretary Steve Barclay, will now come together to create a new NHS trust.
From next month, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust will be established, delivering care to over 600,000 people across 17 locations that boast approximately 9,000 staff.
A total of four million people spanning as far as the Isle of Man and North Wales will also benefit from regional burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries services.
Ann Marr OBE had been the chief executive at St Helens and Knowsley for two decades before eventually taking on the same role at Southport and Ormskirk in 2021 when the two organisations engaged in a long-term partnership.
The collaboration was originally about ensuring the two trusts could keep delivering to patients from a quality and sustainability perspective.
The trusts say the partnership has also brough substantial investment to the local health system as well.
“We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to excellent local healthcare,” said Marr.
“Our partnership has undoubtedly made a positive difference to our local communities, and we are committed to further improving services for patients now and in the future.
“As a single, larger organisation we will be able to further develop services, improve patient experience and offer greater career opportunities for staff. It’s an exciting time to part of Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.”
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