NHS foundation trust to take over Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and the West Cumberland hospital in Whitehaven
Northumbria Healthcare NHS foundation trust has been named as the preferred bidder to take over the running of two hospitals – Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and the West Cumberland hospital in Whitehaven, in Cumbria. North Cumbria university hospitals trust announced plans to accept takeover bids in June 2011 after it realised it would not be able to meet new government targets, which require all NHS trusts to become foundation trusts by 2014.
The winning bid was decided after considering detailed proposals and responses to additional financial questions submitted to interested foundation trusts. It also took into consideration the views from a panel of patients, the public, hospital clinicians and staff, GPs and other key groups. NHS North of England, the region's strategic health authority, local health commissioners, and Northumbria trust will now start negotiations on the final financial arrangements. There will also be further assessments by regulators and a final recommendation by health secretary Andrew Lansley later this year.
Newcastle upon Tyne hospitals foundation trust and Cumbria partnership foundation trust had also put in a joint bid to take over the hospitals' services. Mike Little, chair of North Cumbria university hospitals trust, said: "We were very pleased with the way both organisations have engaged in the process and by their enthusiasm, professionalism and commitment to this opportunity. Our evaluation started in June 2011 and has been a lengthy, detailed and competitive process."
But Stephen Dalton, chief executive of Cumbria partnership foundation trust, said turning down their joint bid was a missed opportunity for "genuinely integrated healthcare." "We are surprised and disappointed that the opportunity for a genuinely integrated healthcare solution has been missed. However, we remain the only major county-wide provider of healthcare and as such we are eager to now see a very public discussion about plans for Cumbria's hospitals in the north and west. I hope that the staff of North Cumbria university hospitals trust finally get the stability and support they deserve."
The decision comes as London's St George's healthcare trust pulled out of its bid to merge with St Helier and Sutton hospitals. In a statement, St George's said that while a merger would be an "excellent strategic opportunity", the current terms of the agreement prevented it from being able to proceed further. Guardian Professional.
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