Statement from the Royal Surrey County Hospital and Frimley Park Hospital

We have been exploring how we can build on our existing good relationship and work more closely together and potentially share some services in the future.

This is exactly what two responsible organisations should be doing in the current economic climate and in light of the NHS reforms, which place even more emphasis on quality, innovation, performance and productivity.

We are already successfully collaborating in a number of areas including pathology, cardiology, cancer services and radiology. There is potential for further collaboration, which would enable us to deliver better and more comprehensive services for our patients than we would by working separately

 We have set up a Joint Strategic Partnership Board to look formally, and in more detail, at options for closer working. These options include some corporate and back office services where we could work in a more joined up way to save money and achieve service improvements. For example improving our buying power with joint procurement and joint Informatics services.  Both Trusts are also keen to work more closely on delivering patient services by building on existing clinical networks or creating new ones.

We will be consulting with our stakeholders to help us decide the best course of action as part of the process.