Merger special web site

A special web site has been set up to inform the public about the proposed merger between the Royal Surrey and Ashford and St. Peters. It include Frequently Asked Questions. Go to http://www.working-together.org/index.html

Merger delay

The first step in achieving a merger is to gain clearance by the Mergers and Competition Authority (CMA). The case for merger was put to the CMA a while ago. The process is that the CMA has a short time either to approve  or to submit the case to more detailed appraisal. Today the CMA decided  that there was 'a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition in a number of inpatient and outpatient specialties' and therefore withheld a decision until more work is undertaken. This will take a minimum of 6 months and thus the merger proposal programme has been moved back 6 months including planned wide ranging engagement with the public which would otherwise have started in a few weeks.