The Boards of two Sussex NHS Trusts met on Thursday to consider the next steps in a possible merger. 

The Trust which runs Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead and the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust have agreed to work together to develop a full business case.  Detailed work will take place to explore the operational, clinical and financial aspects of a potential merger.  This may take around six to nine months and will provide the information needed for the boards of both organisations to determine whether to proceed. 

The Queen Victoria Hospital’s Board has decided that a merger offers the best opportunity to secure the future of the hospital which is the second smallest NHS Trust in the country.