PLANS to merge two hospital trusts could improve the chances of survival for patients admitted at weekends.

National figures suggest patients are 16 per cent more likely to die if they are admitted to hospital on a Sunday than on a Wednesday.

The research in the Journal of the royal Society of Medicine followed another report last November, which found patients needing emergency care were almost 10 per cent more likely to die if admitted at a weekend.

Bosses at Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals have said round-the-clock care would improve under their plans to merge the two trusts. The shake-up would mean the loss of around 750 jobs – 10 per cent of the staff.

A joint statement from the trusts said: “Merging offers the opportunity to develop services in line with the best clinical practice and guidance.

“This includes providing more consultant-led care, seven days a week, for example in the treatment of heart attacks and strokes. We do not believe that these benefits could be realised without both organisations coming together formally.”

The two NHS trusts have a combined turnover of more than £400 million a year. After merger, the new trust would have to make savings of £52million in its first three years on top of the £8million each already has to cut.

Providing more round-the-clock care through senior consultants has been shown to cut death rates and provide more patient care outside acute hospitals.