NBT and UHBW to move to Joint Chair and Joint Chief Executive

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have today announced their decision to move to a Joint Chair and Joint Chief Executive as the first and important step on a journey to establish a Group model within the next two years.

Whilst this is not a merger, the move demonstrates clear commitment from both organisations to formally create an environment which enables a deeper partnership, strengthens collaboration, and enables delivery of a Joint Clinical Strategy. Working as a Group will also enable the Trusts to join forces to address shared challenges while still retaining the flexibility to serve their unique communities.

These changes are crucial to unlock significant benefits for staff and patients - improving access, experience and outcomes, addressing inequalities and supporting the wider community through the Trust’s responsibilities as anchor institutions.

The Trusts will be launching their Joint Clinical Strategy in the New Year, and aim to appoint a Joint Chair in March 2024 with a Joint Chief Executive following shortly thereafter.

Maria Kane, CEO of NBT said: “Our sole focus, across both organisations, is to do what is right for our patients and their families. To meet the needs of our population over the next five years and beyond we are developing a Joint Clinical Strategy.

“By joining forces in a Hospital Group, we will be able to deliver this more effectively, make the most of our resources and ensure joined up, seamless and above all outstanding care to all who need it – irrespective of their background or where they live. It will also mean we can continue to attract and retain the very best staff by offering them access to truly ‘cross city’ and wider system opportunities.

“I very much look forward to realising the full potential of what we can deliver together in partnership.”

Eugine Yafele, CEO of UHBW said: “This is absolutely the right thing to do for our patients, our staff and our communities. Working together in this way, will unlock significant opportunities to reduce health inequalities, improve access to services, reduce waiting times and improve experience for our staff and those who need our care.”

Michele Romaine, Chair of NBT said: “What really matters is that we are always focused on doing everything we can to get the right health outcomes for the populations we serve.   By working together in this way, we will be able to share the very best of both organisations, bringing together clinical excellence and using our people and our combined resources wisely to address health inequalities and deliver first class care.”

Jayne Mee, Chair, UHBW said: “We have a long history of successful collaboration between our organisations, and this is a logical next step on that journey. Absolute focus on delivering the best outcomes for our patients, reducing inequality in our communities and delivering the very best careers we can for our staff has been at the heart of our decision making to get to this point.”