Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust / Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the anticipated merger of Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 27 February 2020
• Last updated: 7 May 2020 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Healthcare and medical equipment
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 27 February 2020
• Closed: 7 May 2020

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
27 April 2020	Decision announced
27 February to 12 March 2020	Invitation to comment
27 February 2020	Launch of merger inquiry

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

27 April 2020: The CMA has cleared the anticipated merger by The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation and Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

• Full text decision (7.5.20)
• News story: CMA clears NHS hospital trusts merger (27.4.20)

Decision on the request from The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation and Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for consent to merge

27 April 2020: The CMA has decided to give its consent to The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation and Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to merge.

• Full text decision (7.5.20)

Consultation on the request for consent to merge: closed 21 April 2020

Following a request by The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation and Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust under the Final Undertakings, the CMA invites representations from any person or persons who wish to comment on the request for consent to the Merger under clause 2.1 of the Undertakings, and whether there are any reasons why consent should not be given in the event the CMA decides to clear the Merger.

• Notice of consultation (1.4.20)
• Final undertakings (first published 20.11.13)

Invitation to comment: now closed

27 February 2020: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services. To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party. These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.

Launch of merger inquiry

27 February 2020: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Notice commencement initial period (27.2.20)
• News story: CMA opens investigation into NHS hospital trusts merger (27.2.20)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk.

Published 27 February 2020
Last updated 7 May 2020 + show all updates

1. 7 May 2020

   Phase 1 full text decision and consent to merge decision published.

2. 27 April 2020

   Clearance and consent to merge decisions published.

3. 1 April 2020

   Notice of consultation published.

4. 27 February 2020

   First published.