By SARAH HARKER

THE proposed merger between Warrington and Halton Hospitals has been officially approved by the Secretary of State.

The two existing trusts will be dissolved and replaced by a single new trust called North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust from April 1 this year.

The two trusts say that they have worked in partnership together successfully over the past few years and doctors, nurses and other staff have been closely involved in the project throughout the transition.

It is hoped that the merger will improve patient services and help to reduce management costs.

Health chiefs say that benefits will include increased investment into patient care as a result of a reduction in administration, improved recruitment and retention of high-calibre staff, increased innovation and ability to meet Government targets such as waiting lists, and a greater range of services as a result of pooled expertise and resources.

Health Minister Lord Philip Hunt, who announced the decision, said: "I am confident that the merger will provide patients with better health services in North Cheshire. Pooling of resources and using people and their skills to best effect is common sense and is a key element of modernising the NHS."

Work will begin with the appointment of a chairman and non-executive directors followed by the appointment of a chief executive and executive directors. Through this process, a trust board capable of managing a new, larger organisation will be established.

All existing staff at Warrington and Halton Hospitals will transfer to the new trust on their existing terms and conditions of employment.

It is stressed that there are no plans to reduce patient services and the full range of services in the existing NHS trusts will continue to be available.

In a joint statement, Norman Banner, chairman of Warrington Hospital NHS Trust, and his Halton counterpart John Beacham said: "We are delighted with this news which represents an exciting step forward in the delivery of health services to local people.

"We believe the merger is the only way forward to ensure people continue to have easy access to health services and secure the long-term viability of our hospitals."