STRUCTURE: Medway NHS Foundation Trust has moved a step closer to integration with Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, which is seeking a way of gaining foundation status.

Board papers from March state that the Medway board had been told that a proposed memorandum of understanding with Dartford and Gravesham “had been agreed and signed off”.

The papers said: “A transition team of directors from both trusts has been established to deliver the work required to fully explore the feasibility of integration.”

The papers continued: “Because the work of the transition team is extensive, all three directors in that team will be back filled in their existing roles.”

The document says this means current Medway interim director of human resources Andy Brown will continue in that role while Cheryl Lee leads on the workforce integration and organisational aspect of the project. Additionally, Steve Orpin, currently Medway deputy director of finance, will act as director of finance while Jeremy Moon carries out the role of project director of the transition team.

The board expects to receive updates on a monthly basis, the papers note.