Browne Jacobson aids new healthcare trust

Browne Jacobson has played a pivotal role in the establishment of the East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (EECHC), following the merger of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust. The launch of the new healthcare provider on 1 April came after approval from NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). With the aim of authorisation as an advanced foundation trust, EECHC is set to enjoy greater autonomy and financial freedoms, allowing it to serve the community more effectively.

Rebecca Hainsworth, a partner in public law at Browne Jacobson, led the legal advisory team, which included Taylor Berzins and Bridget Prosser. Rebecca noted, “It has been a pleasure to advise on this merger, which brings together two high-performing trusts to generate efficiencies that will ultimately benefit the core purpose of these organisations, which is to deliver excellent patient care.” She also highlighted that the merger aligns with the NHS 10 Year Plan, targeting a goal for every trust to achieve advanced foundation trust status by 2035. This framework is designed to empower NHS boards to respond better to community needs.

The merging of the two trusts into a single organisation is significant, especially since they have shared a chief executive since September 2023. Browne Jacobson has supported both trusts in working together as an NHS group under one unified board, set to take effect from April 2025. Importantly, the merger will not affect patient services or existing operational structures.

Laura Clear, Director of Strategy and Transformation at EECHC, praised the legal support from Browne Jacobson, saying, “The legal support provided by Browne Jacobson throughout this complex transaction was of an exceptionally high standard.” She commended the team for their technical expertise, strategic judgement, and efficient project management, which ensured the smooth execution of this significant transition.

Matthew Winn, Chief Executive of the new trust, also shared his thoughts on the merger, stating, “We have taken the opportunity to make things better for our patients and our staff, whilst also ensuring our services stronger and more resilient.” He emphasised the importance of creating a robust healthcare infrastructure to underpin ambitious national health and care plans, underscoring the value of combining resources to enhance patient outcomes.