Chaired by Ingrid Barker and led by Maria Kane as joint chief executive, Bristol NHS Group has been formed to tackle the trusts shared challenges, deepen collaboration and improve care.

Maria Kane, group chief executive said: ‘Bristol NHS Group is focused on what matters most: delivering outstanding care, reducing health inequities, strengthening communities and offering fulfilling careers for our people.

‘Together, we will confront shared challenges, modernise services and learn from each other. By aligning our strengths, sharing expertise and removing unnecessary duplication, we'll make sure every patient — wherever they live, and whichever hospital they visit - receives consistently excellent care.'

The healthcare partnership's goals are to: reduce diagnosis and treatment times; meet rising demand by maximising available resources; deliver more care to patients in their homes or community; transform use of digital technology; engage and empower the workforce; train and build careers; grow research and innovation; and contribute to system financial balance.

Ingrid Barker, group chair said: ‘The formation of Bristol NHS Group is a key milestone in our mission to transform healthcare for the communities we serve.

‘Our vision is to deliver seamless, high-quality and equitable care for everyone who needs it, not built around organisational boundaries but instead focused firmly on patients and their loved ones.'