Three NHS trusts approve merger plan

The newly-formed NHS trust will be the largest of its kind in England

Three NHS trusts have approved plans to merge services relating to mental health, learning disabilities and community care.

Solent NHS Trust and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust are set to combine and take over some services from Isle of Wight NHS Trust.

The new Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust would be the largest provider of its kind in England when it launches in April 2024.

The plan is subject to approval from NHS England.

NHS trust leaders said the plan would improve care

Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS leaders said the merger - named Project Fusion - would "deliver sustainable services" and "improve outcomes".

Ron Shields, the new trust's prospective chief executive and current leader of Southern Health, said: "We see the potential to reduce health inequalities and truly deliver to a higher standard.

"As the largest provider of its kind in England, we will attract more people to work with us, enabling us to further improve services.”

The new NHS trust will also take over the majority of Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Isle of Wight NHS Trust will continue to deliver acute and ambulance services on the island.

The trusts' approved business case for the merger will be examined by the region's integrated care board, which commissions NHS services.