Consultation outcome
Merger benefits for NHS foundation trusts: Monitor's draft guidance
Applies to England
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
Monitor has listened to the healthcare sector and looked more comprehensively at its approach to transactions, including mergers.
New approach to transactions
Monitor has worked with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to develop a joint approach that will make sure patients’ interests are at the heart of assessing merger proposals.
After consulting with the healthcare sector the new approach to transactions includes:
- better support for NHS foundations trusts contemplating a merger or acquisition to navigate the relevant regulatory processes, from an earlier stage
- changing the rules for reporting and reviewing transactions involving NHS foundation trusts (as part of Monitor’s approach to risk assessing transactions to ensure compliance with licence conditions)
Further guidance
To support NHS providers, Monitor and the CMA have published guidance documents about the new approach.
Original consultation
Consultation description
Monitor is required to provide advice to the Office of Fair Trading on the benefits for patients of mergers involving NHS foundation trusts.