Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has given the go-ahead to the merger between Newham, Barts and Whipps Cross NHS Trusts.

The Secretary of State for Health has approved the three-way merger of Newham University Hospital NHS Trust, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust, and Barts and The London NHS Hospital Trust subject to parliamentary process.

The resulting body, called Barts Health NHS Trust, is on track to be formed on April 1 2012 and will be the biggest Trust in the NHS.

Stephen O’Brien, designate chair for Barts Health NHS Trust said : “I am absolutely delighted that the benefits of our merger have been recognised and we have achieved this final milestone on schedule.

“I strongly believe that, by sharing the expertise which is present in each of our three trusts, we can create a world-class health organisation; one which builds strong relations with our local communities and partners and which ensures that the needs of our patients always come first.”

Patients from Tower Hamlets, Newham and Waltham Forest and beyond will have access to the world-class facilities available at each of the legacy trusts including:

• the new Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel and its nationally-renowned facilities such as the major trauma unit; hyper-acute stroke unit; renal unit and one of the country’s biggest and best children’s hospitals;

• the care of the elderly service and brand new maternity suite at Newham; and

• the enhanced recovery programme available to colorectal surgery patients and the new A&E due to open later this year at Whipps Cross.

Barts Health NHS Trust designate Medical Director, Dr Steve Ryan, said: “With the Olympics, over �1bn investment in world-class new hospitals across the hospital sites run by the new trust, and the Crossrail development we’re seeing massive regeneration in our area.

“From our earliest discussions between clinicians, healthcare professionals and our patients, we have shared the same ambition: to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of east London.

“By coming together, we can protect vital local health services, but also build a healthier future for all the people we serve”.

Health bosses are hoping the move will also allow the NHS to make administrative efficiencies – protecting vital local frontline services and enabling more to be done for less.