20 February 2020
New name announced for merging NHS trusts
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust are planning
to merge with Weston Area Health NHS Trust on Wednesday 1 April,
subject to regulatory approvals.
The merger is an exciting and unique opportunity to create a new
organisation with a greater purpose, which is seen as a beacon for
outstanding education, research, innovation and patient care.
As the organisations merge, so will their names: the newly
formed Trust will be called University Hospitals Bristol and Weston
NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW).
The new Trust will boast a workforce of over 13,000; increasing
diversity, capacity and resilience. Staff will have the opportunity
to deliver a wider portfolio of services, strengthening their
knowledge base, peer support, skills and experience, as well as
helping to deliver exceptional services for local people and
specialist services across the South West and beyond.
Leading this venture in pursuit of our vision for more
accessible local healthcare and world-class specialised services,
improved digital technology and stronger academic links with
leading education providers, is chief executive Robert Woolley.
Robert said: "We are committed to creating a new healthcare
provider with a greater purpose and, by taking everything that's
good about Weston and UH Bristol, we will create an organisation of
which every member can be truly proud. Changing the name of the
Trust acknowledges that this is a true partnership.
"The merger will help bring stability to Weston General
Hospital, so that it remains at the heart of the community,
providing services that meet the needs of its local people. We will
also have a real opportunity to create an even better experience
for our patients - ensuring people from North Somerset and
surrounding areas will be able to be seen and treated in local
hospitals, and improving access to specialist services in Bristol
and Weston through better use of an expanded workforce, facilities
and estates.
"While the organisation's name is changing, it's important our
service users are reassured they will continue to receive the same
treatment and care, provided by the same staff in the same location
- this merger builds on the close partnership working we have had
in place for years."
While there will be a new name for the Trust, the name of our
component hospitals, such as Weston General Hospital or the Bristol
Royal Infirmary, will remain unchanged.
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