by Julia Roberts

A proposed merger between Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust has moved a step closer.

It has been announced today (Thursday) that the Cooperation and Competition Panel has recommended that things can proceed to the next stage.

In reaching its decision the CCP has spent the past nine months considering the potential impact on patient choice and competition.

The two hospital trusts have worked very closely with the CCP throughout the process, along with local GP commissioners, to ensure that patient choice, competition between providers and the quality of services are protected.

The report noted that while sufficient choice and competition will continue after integration, two specific services of non cancer urology and endocrine surgery will require some additional measures, which have been agreed between the trusts, CCP and local commissioners.

Annette Schreiner, medical director of Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, said: “We have worked very closely with the CCP over the last nine months, as part of the normal integration process.

“We have welcomed their in-depth look at the impact of integration on patient choice and competition, as we will only proceed with integration if it brings benefits to our patients and local communities, as well as long-term sustainability for our hospitals.

“We are very pleased that they are recommending our plans for integration be allowed to proceed to the next stage.”

Dr Gray Smith-Laing, medical director of Medway NHS Foundation Trust, added: “Patient choice is important to us and drives improvement in both quality of care and services.

“We have worked closely with the CCP and local commissioners to agree on a number of actions to support patient choice after integration and ensure that we maintain the high quality of elective non-cancer urology and endocrinology services.”

The CCP’s recommendation will be taken into consideration by the Department of Health and Monitor, alongside the trusts’ plans when they are submitted.