Jane Stichbury has been announced as the proposed Chairman should the merger of The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust be approved.

The two hospital Trusts are currently working on a business plan for merger. Proposed appointments to the Board are made to support the planning process and ensure a smooth transition of responsibility if the merger proceeds.

Jane Stichbury will formally take up the role if the merger application is successful and the new organisation is licensed by Monitor, the regulator of foundation trusts. Jane is the current Chairman of The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and will continue in this role until this time.

The announcement of the proposed Chairman follows an independent appointment process led by current Governors of the two Trusts. A Joint Nominations Panel was established, with equal representation of Governors from both Trusts, and supported by an external foundation trust Chairman acting as an advisor.

The Council of Governors of the new merged organisation will need to approve the Chairman appointment, should the merger be authorised.

The proposed Chairman and Governors from the Joint Nominations Panel will now appoint the proposed Non-Executive Directors for the merged organisation. Appointment of the proposed Chief Executive and Executive Directors will follow.

The Trusts remain separate legal entities until the date of the licenced merger. Each Board of Directors retains complete legal responsibility for their organisation until this time.

On this date, the proposed Board of Directors will take responsibility for the new merged organisation.