Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Birmingham Women’s Hospital foundation trusts will integrate by 1 February 2017, the providers have confirmed.

The trusts have also received approval from the Department of Health for a capital loan of £16m over the next three years. The money will be used for work on the women’s hospital estate.

Sarah Jane Marsh

Sarah Jane Marsh

Sarah-Jane Marsh said the trusts were ‘full steam ahead’ with their plan

The trusts confirmed their plans to merge a year ago, shortly after a £70m programme to rebuild the women’s hospital was scrapped by the new leadership.

In July, HSJ reported that the trusts intended to merge “early next year” following approval by both boards.

The merged trusts are considering building a single hospital for women’s and children’s services on a site in Edgbaston, which is adjacent to University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust.

Sarah-Jane Marsh, chief executive of both Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Birmingham Women’s Hospital, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Department of Health has confirmed it will give us a loan of £16.1m over the next three years.

“This will enable us to carry out essential work on the women’s hospital estate, which has historically not received the investment it badly needs.

“Thanks to this financial support we are now full steam ahead with our plans to integrate by 1 February 2017, creating the first women’s and children’s foundation trust in the country.”