Michael Fabricant has welcomed the latest milestone in the merger between the Burton and Derby Hospital Trusts.

“This will save NHS resources in back office functions such as accounting and personnel which currently are duplicated by both Trusts, but – I have been assured – will enhance front line medical services. A&E services will remain at Burton and, very importantly, medical services will be enhanced at the Dr Samuel Johnson Hospital in Lichfield and the Sir Robert Peel in Tamworth” says Michael.

In a statement issued by John Rivers, Chairman of the Derby and Burton Hospitals Trusts, he says the plan is to complete the merger on 1st July. He adds:

“On that date a new Trust will be formed, to be known as the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB). Today a joint application for merger has been made to NHSI which we hope will be confirmed in time for completion on 1 July.

“Our initial priority is to ensure that all clinical services continue to operate safely and effectively from 1 July. However, over time we will be making the changes we need to realise major benefits for our patients. Some services have already been reviewed in detail so that we can start to make some of these changes more quickly. However, the full benefits are likely to be evolutionary over a number of years and will involve clinical teams across the new Trust.

“The merger will help to secure general services at Queen’s Hospital Burton, including A&E, develop more specialised services at Royal Derby Hospital and make best use of our Community Hospitals in Derby, Lichfield and Tamworth.”