Royal Surrey County Hospital and Ashford & St Peter's merger rejected

A merger was not in the best interest of the Royal Surrey's financial stability, the trusts said

The planned merger of two hospitals will not now go ahead, the NHS trusts have announced.

In a statement, the Royal Surrey County Hospital said the merger with Ashford & St Peter's would not offer the best financial stability.

In March the merger was put on hold after both trusts spoke of "significant" pressures on the NHS.

The Royal Surrey board said a review had concluded a merger would not offer the trust the "greatest opportunity".

The board of Ashford and St Peter's said it had accepted the merger would not now proceed.

In a joint statement both trusts said: "Both organisations are committed to continuing to work together... building on the positive relationships that we have developed over recent years."