Plans for WHH and Bridgewater Community Healthcare to merge

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH) and Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which provides community health services in the north west, could be joining forces.

This will also see the hospital’s new chief executive appointed on an interim basis, rather than permanent.

Despite these plans originally being abandoned, both trusts have now decided there are opportunities for further integration which will allow them to improve care for patients, as well as making the best use of resources.

According to The Health Service Journal, the merger issue was forced back on the agenda in late 2023 when Warrington Borough Council asked the integrated care board to explore the potential for increased integration in the borough.

Both trusts have released a joint statement on the matter which reads: “Our organisations have a shared overriding aim of delivering a sustainable system for patients and staff, and we are working together to resurrect integration plans.

“It is clear that there are opportunities for further integration within the NHS that we need to explore over the coming weeks and months, working jointly with system colleagues across Warrington and Halton.

“This will help us to collectively make best use of resources, but more importantly to improve care for our patients.”

While the merger is explored, the hospital’s next chief executive will be appointed on an interim basis, rather an a permanent one.

This is following the news that the current chief executive, Professor Simon Constable, will be leaving the trust.

Steve McGuirk, chair of Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We will soon be advertising for an interim chief executive for a period of up to two years while further integration opportunities are explored.

“We hope to make an appointment by the end of May. A permanent substantive appointment will be made towards the end of this two-year period.”