Bosses in talks over hospitals joining forces
SOUTHPORT and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust could soon share resources, services or staff with another trust under plans to ensure its sustainability.
Senior figures from the trust and its board are in early talks with their counterparts at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust over the possibility of building a formal partnership.
St Helens and Knowsley provided management support in 2015 when three leaders at Southport and Ormskirk were suspended but it is understood that the new proposals involve a deeper relationship which would involve both trusts learning from each other.
Southport and Ormskirk announced this week that chief executive Trish Armstrong-Child will leave her post for a similar role at Blackpool later this year but the talks between the two hospitals are said to be unrelated to that departure.
As such, Ms ArmstrongChild’s position is expected to be filled by a replacement chief executive.
The trust has enjoyed an upturn in fortunes in recent years as evidenced in its most recent CQC report which found that Southport Hospital had made “improvements across all assessed domains”
However, as trust chair Neil Masom said in a message to staff this week, it still faces “significant challenges” with around a dozen “fragile” services. Talks have therefore begun with St Helens and Knowsley over how the latter, which is rated ‘Excellent’ by the CQC, can provide support.
Mr Masom wrote: “However, we still face significant challenges, especially around a dozen or so “fragile” services which we are unlikely to be able to continue providing alone without the support of the wider NHS.
“Your Board and NHS England considers that St Helens and Knowsley is best placed to offer support. We are currently discussing these plans and I will keep you informed as this progresses.
“In the meantime,
Ann Marr OBE thank you once again for hard work in what continues to be an extremely challenging time for everyone in the NHS.”
Ann Marr OBE, chief executive at St Helens and Knowsley, made similar comments in a message to her staff.
She wrote: “Thanks to the hard work and commitment of their staff, Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust has made great progress in recent years, with the latest report by the CQC stating that “significant improvements” had been made across all reviewed areas. However, a number of obstacles remain, not least the fragility of some of their clinical services. NHS England consider that STHK is best placed to offer support.
“We are currently discussing these plans and I will keep you informed as this progresses.
“I am sure you will agree this is an exciting opportunity to share our experience and expertise, and is a positive move that will benefit staff from both trusts and the communities of Southport and Ormskirk.”
The prospect of outside involvement was welcomed by West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper.
Ms Cooper, who is a member of the Health and Social Care Committee in Westminster and has
I am sure you will agree this is an exciting opportunity
vociferously campaigned for services to be retained in West Lancashire, said she remained concerned about the quality of services at the trust despite its recent improvements and that it “needs all the help and support it can get”. She said: “I am therefore glad that St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals have agreed to step in. As a CQC rated outstanding trust, their expertise will be invaluable in ensuring a sustained and permanent improvement of health services to my constituents.”