PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Bedford Hospital (3 October 2019)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the planned merger of Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable Hospital, if he will maintain the current level of services at Bedford Hospital.

Asked by:
Mohammad Yasin (Labour)

Powers under Section 56A and 56AA of the NHS Act 2006 enables a National Health Service foundation trust to merge with another foundation trust or NHS trust. The trusts are required to make a joint application to NHS Improvement for any merger to go ahead. Where a merger involves an NHS trust, this must also be supported by the Secretary of State.

It will be for NHS Improvement as the independent regulator to be assured that the integration of services within the planned merger of Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable Hospital ensures the delivery of high-quality NHS services.

Answered by:
Edward Argar (Conservative)
8 October 2019