Discussions about a possible merger of Frimley Park Hospital and Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals are still on track following a successful meeting between the Boards of both hospital trusts on 2nd October.

In their first meeting to review detailed investigations into the practicalities of the merger since plans were first announced in July, both Boards felt that potentially there were compelling clinical benefits to be gained from combining the two trusts. Before an official merger proposal can made by the Boards however, further work is essential to test the robustness of all the complexities around the merger.   

Since July, both Trusts have been conducting due diligence enquiries, evaluating the strategic rationale, holding discussions with clinical leaders and stakeholders, and preparing a preliminary business case and integration plan for a merger.

Clive Thompson CBE, Chairman of Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals, said: “Whilst it is important that we minimise uncertainty around whether we will be pursuing a merger, we are committed to ensuring that a potential merger will be able to improve patient care and is best for staff and the NHS. At our meeting we were encouraged by the shared enthusiasm and real desire to make this happen, but we must make sure we have tested every aspect of it before we decide what to do.”

Sir Mike Aaronson, Chairman of Frimley Park Hospital, said: “The reason we are looking at this merger is because we want to see improvements to services and the provision of more specialist services within Surrey.  In the investigations to date we have seen some convincing clinical reasons for becoming one Trust, but we want to make certain that everything adds up. We hope to make a decision by the end of the year.”

Any proposal to merge the two organisations would be subject to public consultation after both Trusts have made a decision to proceed further.