A NEW hospital trust covering Trafford and Manchester launched on October 1 - and health chiefs say it will provide better, safer and more consistent care for patients.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) brings together all hospitals that were previously part of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust to create one new organisation.

These include Trafford General, Altrincham Hospital and Wythenshawe Hospital.

Kathy Cowell, the chairman of MFT, said: “This is good news for the communities our hospitals serve.

"We have undertaken a rigorous approvals process to create our new organisation and a huge amount of work has taken place to get to this point.

"I would like to thank our staff, patients, their families, and partner organisations across our great city for all their support.”

Sir Michael Deegan, the chief executive of MFT, said: “We already have great hospitals and staff but by bringing them together, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to become even better and address the health inequalities that exist in our city.

"Together, we will be stronger, and able to make an even greater contribution to health education, research and innovation.“

Following the establishment of the new city-wide hospital trust, the plan is to also integrate North Manchester General Hospital 12 to18 months later.

Sir Michael added: “Our priority right now is to keep services running safely and smoothly so patients will see little change on day one apart from the new name. Over time we will look at how we can share our strengths so that patients get the same high standard of care, no matter where or when they are treated.“

The merger between the two trusts was approved by the Competition and Markets Authority who stated it would lead to substantial benefits for patients including those at risk of heart attacks or strokes and those needing vascular surgery or kidney stone removal. 

Ian Williamson, chief accountable officer for Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, said: "As commissioners we are determined to play our role in a drive that can bring more consistency in services and quality across the whole of Manchester, regardless of where you live or where you are treated."

Sir Richard Leese, the chairman of Manchester's Health and Wellbeing Board, said: "This step is one of the fundamental parts of the vision for creating a healthier Manchester, outlined in the city's locality plan. This single health trust, along with the development of a local care organisation that will provide community-based care near people's homes, are both vital to this transformation work to improve the health of everyone who lives here."

Earlier this month, the UHSM and CMFT Boards of Directors approved the merger and both councils of governors also unanimously approved that appropriate processes had been followed by the boards.

The hospitals included are: Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Saint Mary's Hospital, The University Dental Hospital, Altrincham Hospital, Trafford General Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital, and Withington Community Hospital.

Work will then begin to integrate North Manchester General Hospital into the new Trust around 12-18 months later.