The Bristol NHS Group partners, who together employ over 28,000 healthcare professionals across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG), plan to explore how a merger can build on progress of their Joint Clinical Strategy published in March 2024.

Maria Kane, Bristol NHS Group chief executive, said: ‘Our boards' decision to pursue a future merger between our two high-performing trusts is a natural next step for our group and an exciting development for the future of healthcare in BNSSG and the wider region.   

‘This move is in direct response to strong clinical feedback, operational lessons learned, and the priorities set out in the Government's 10-Year Plan for the NHS. 

‘We believe we can go further, faster, in delivering these benefits by becoming a single organisation.'

Ingrid Barker, group chair, said: ‘Our aim as a group is to deliver even better care by reducing duplication, investing in frontline services and strengthening integration across our hospitals and communities. We are making great progress but there are still barriers to overcome and complexities to work around. 

‘By working together as one team we firmly believe we will be able to do more than ever for the people and communities we serve.'