Hospitals could unify under one chief executive

Norfolk's three acute hospitals could be led by a single chair and chief executive by April 2025

Three hospitals could join under one chief executive to increase the speed of decision making and ease financial challenges.

Norfolk's three acute hospitals, which form the Norfolk and Waveney Healthcare Collaborative, hope to transition to a group operation from April 2025.

It would see the formation of a group board to lead policy and strategic decision making, but each hospital would maintain its own board, council of governors and legal autonomy and be responsible for operational decisions.

The three acute hospitals are James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.

The chairs of the three hospital trusts said a group model would enable them to share resources more effectively and tackle large-scale challenges with a single, unified approach.

They said they hoped a collaborative approach would improve patient care and said there would be no immediate changes for patients.

The change was also intended to ease financial challenges, with only staff at executive levels affected.

Parts of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's roof are supported by wooden and metal props

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital was found to have the second highest number of patients waiting at least 18 months for pre-planned treatment in England.

The roof of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is currently being propped up by hundreds of wooden and steel posts and needs replacing by 2030.

The three trusts said: "A group model would strengthen the power of our collaboration, enabling us to optimise efficiency across our three hospitals while at the same time improving patient care and outcomes.

"At the same time, we will be able to continue our focus on healthcare that meets the specific needs of our local communities."

'Reduce variation in care'

A finalised Case for Change could be brought before all three boards and governors in January 2025, before seeking approval from NHS England.

Chief executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, Tracey Bleakley, said: "The move towards a group model is an exciting step forward for our local healthcare system.

"By streamlining decision making and strengthening collaboration, this change will help us to reduce variation in care, improve health outcomes, and make better use of resources.

"Most importantly, it will enable us to deliver more consistent, high-quality care for patients across Norfolk and Waveney."