CMA reviews proposed merger of Frimley Park and Heatherwood and Wexham NHS Hospitals
8 Apr 2014 10:54 AM
The Competition and
Markets Authority is reviewing the proposed merger of Frimley Park Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust with Heatherwood and Wexham Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,
following notification from the hospitals.
The CMA has today issued an
‘Invitation to Comment’ which seeks views from third
parties.
Frimley Park and Heatherwood and
Wexham Hospitals serve patients across a wide area, including Hampshire, Surrey
and Berkshire.
The CMA’s role is to
examine the impact that the merger could have on patient choice and the quality
of healthcare services provided. The CMA undertakes an objective and
evidence-based assessment of the effects of NHS mergers on competition and aims
primarily to ensure that such mergers do not result in lower levels of quality
of healthcare services for patients.
The CMA is the new independent
competition and consumer agency that has taken over the Office of Fair Trading
and Competition Commission’s role in reviewing mergers across all sectors
of the economy, including healthcare.
The deadline for comments to be
received on the proposed merger is 11 April 2014. The CMA’s current
administrative target for reaching a decision in this case is 29 May 2014.
Comments can be sent to clementine.debrosses@cma.gsi.g
ov.uk
Notes for
editors
- The parties submitted a
notification of the anticipated merger to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). On
28 March 2014, the OFT considered the parties’ notification to be a
‘satisfactory submission’, see section 5 of its jurisdictional and procedural
guidance . From 1 April 2014, the Phase 1 investigation will be carried out
by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) , in accordance with the
Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Commencement No. 6, Transitional
Provisions and Savings) Order SI 416 of 2014. See more information on the applicable rules for merger assessment .
- On 1 April 2014, the CMA became
the UK’s lead competition and consumer body. The CMA is bringing together
the existing competition and certain consumer protection functions of the
Office of Fair Trading and the responsibilities of the Competition Commission,
as established by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. The CMA
retains the two-phase review process operated by its predecessor
bodies.
- Under the Enterprise Act 2002 a
relevant merger situation is or will be created if two or more enterprises have
ceased or will cease to be distinct enterprises; and the value of the turnover
in the United Kingdom of the enterprise being taken over exceeds £70
million; or as a result of the transaction, in relation to the supply of goods
or services of any description, a 25 per cent share of supply in the United
Kingdom (or a substantial part of it) is created or enhanced.
- Any interested party or
individual can submit its comments on relevant issues arising from the proposed
merger by email to clementine.debrosses@cma.gsi.g
ov.uk or by post to Frimley and Heatherwood/Wexham Trusts Merger,
Competition and Markets Authority, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London,
WC1.
- The administrative target is the
case team’s best estimate of the date by when the decision will be
announced. If any change occurs, the information is refreshed on the
CMA’s website as soon as practicable. Updated timetables are available on
the Mergers case page
.
- Media enquiries: