SALISBURY Hospital has confirmed that it will be sharing its chief executive with two other hospital trusts but denies that plans for a merger are on the cards.

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, Great Western NHS Foundation Trust (Swindon) and Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Bath) will be led by a joint CEO – yet to be announced.

The news emerged at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust's annual general meeting, following a question from a member of the public answered by Mark Ellis, the hospital's interim chief financial officer. 

This comes after months of speculation about a possible change. Interim boss Lisa Thomas told the Journal in February that there would be a new chief executive, but could not confirm any further details. 

The three trusts have already been working together since 2018 as part of The Acute Hospitals Alliance, providing community services such as offering weekend surgery in Salisbury for those across the patch in order to tackle waiting lists.

The Journal can now confirm that one person will oversee all three trusts, but they will have their own boards, executives and leaders.

A statement from a spokesperson at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust reads: “The Boards of Great Western NHS Foundation Trust, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust and Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have each agreed to join in establishing a collaborative group operating model.

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“By collaborating further, we will be able to deliver better health outcomes for the populations we serve. This will require shared leadership initially with the appointment of a single joint chief executive. The group will be a collaboration between the three existing trusts each of which will maintain a dedicated executive team and board.

“This decision is not a merger of the trusts.”

The implementation of a joint leader does not mean that patients will be sent elsewhere in the patch for treatments; they will still be seen at their nearest hospital. 

The trusts will be able to work in collaboration to treat people closer to their homes.

'This decision is not a merger of the trusts''This decision is not a merger of the trusts' (Image: Spencer Mulholland Photography)

A spokesperson added: “The idea of sending a frail elderly person to Swindon is absurd, that’s not what we’re doing. We’re trying to co-ordinate services better so the right people are treated by the right staff at the right place, closer to their home.

“That’s how people will have the best outcomes, especially with an aging population - we know we’re going to have more old people in the next decade.”

Salisbury, Bath and Swindon are not the first to be taken on by a joint CEO; North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust are among other trusts who have collaborated to be overseen by a joint chief executive.

The CEO is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.