A merger between Newham’s hospital trust and two others has moved a step closer with approval being granted for all three to develop a business case.

NHS London has given its approval for Newham, Whipps Cross and Barts and The London NHS trusts to develop an outline business case for their merger.

A spokeswoman for Newham University Hospital NHS Trust said: “From our earliest discussions we have shared the same clear ambition: to improve the health, wellbeing and life expectancy of the people of east London. We are excited by the potential the merger offers to not only improve access to care for those most in need, but also to set new standards of care for our patients.

“We believe that the creation of a single Trust, sharing the best of the talent, technology and facilities across all three organisations, can only be beneficial to the people of east London and beyond.”

In January, the Board of Whipps Cross Hospital agreed a preferred proposal to merge the hospital with Barts and The London NHS Trust and Newham University Hospital NHS Trust.

The Three Boards believe a merged organisation would bring significant healthcare benefits to local people with the provision of services by one integrated entity. It would make it easier for patients to get the right care in the right place at the right time, without having to be transferred between different organisations.

Dr Lucy Moore, Chief Executive at Whipps Cross Hospital, will be stepping down from her job to oversee the merger of the three trusts as

integration director.

She said: “All three Trust Boards believe that the prospect of coming together as a single organisation is extremely exciting, and everyone is committed to maximising the opportunities it represents for integrating our clinical services, sharing our knowledge and talent and driving up the quality of care.

“The next steps involve setting up a Programme Board to oversee the merger process. I am very pleased to be taking up the role of Integration Programme Director within the Programme Board. This is a key role, and within it I will be responsible for developing the business case and, subject to approval, leading on the creation of the new organisation alongside Peter Morris from Barts and The London, who will take up the role of Lead Chief Executive within the Programme Board.”