30 July 2019
Proposed merger takes a significant step forward
Merger between University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
(UH Bristol) and Weston Area Health NHS Trust (WAHT) takes a step
closer today with the announcement that Jeff Farrar, UH Bristol's
Chair and Robert Woolley, UH Bristol's Chief Executive will also
fulfil these roles in WAHT from 1 September 2019.
This builds on the formal partnership agreement which has been
in place between the two organisations since May 2017 and has the
full support of both Trust Boards, demonstrating a clear commitment
to merger by both organisations.
James Rimmer, Chief Executive WAHT said: "We have made
significant progress in planning for a merger with the aim of
securing the financial and clinical sustainability of Weston
General Hospital. I have been encouraged to see the commitment that
both Jeff and Robert have given to making this a reality. With this
in mind, and with the full business case well underway, the Chair
of the Trust Grahame Paine and I have taken the decision to step
aside in recognition of this positive progress. It is the right
time to formalise the future leadership of the organisation.
"From 1 September, I am delighted to be taking up the role of
Chief Executive at Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group and
Grahame will remain as an advisor to Weston Area Health NHS Trust
Board."
Robert Woolley, Chief Executive UH Bristol said: "We are
committed to ensuring Weston General Hospital is both sustainable
in the future, and remains at the heart of the community providing
the services it is best placed to do in order to meet the needs of
local people.
"As we move ever closer towards our intent to become one
organisation in April 2020, it is right that we are strengthening
further our existing formal partnership arrangements, and both Jeff
and I look forward to working across both organisations to achieve
this ambition."
Whilst UH Bristol and WAHT will share a Chair and Chief
Executive, both organisations will remain independent until the
point of merger. The full business case for the proposed merger
will be presented to UH Bristol's Trust Board for consideration and
approval in November 2019.
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