Two NHS trusts have merged to establish a new healthcare provider with the support of Browne Jacobson. 

The UK and Ireland law firm advised on the creation of the East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (EECHC), which was launched on 1 April following NHS England and DHSC approval.

It brings together services provided by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust. 

EECHC is now in the process of authorisation as advanced foundation trust, bringing greater autonomy and financial freedoms.

Rebecca Hainsworth, Partner in public law at Browne Jacobson, led legal advice on the transaction, supported by Taylor Berzins (Associate, commercial) and Bridget Prosser (Partner, employment).

Rebecca said: “It has been a pleasure to advise on this merger, which brings together two high-performing trusts to generate efficiencies that will ultimately benefit the core purpose of these organisations, which is to deliver excellent patient care. 

“In the bigger picture, it also forms an important milestone in delivering the NHS 10 Year Plan, which features an ambition for every trust to be an advanced foundation trust by 2035. The government believes this will give boards more freedom to respond to the needs of their communities and deliver improved care.

“NCHC and CCS were already in the first cohort of eight trusts that will go through the process to achieve this status and we now look forward to supporting EECHC in progressing to become an advanced foundation trust.”

The creation of the EECHC is the final stage of coming together for the two trusts which have shared a chief executive since September 2023. Browne Jacobson has supported the Trusts to work together as an NHS group under a single group board from April 2025.

It does not affect the services that patients receive or impact any of the Trust’s operational services.

Laura Clear, Director of Strategy and Transformation at EECHC, said: “The legal support provided by Browne Jacobson throughout this complex transaction was of an exceptionally high standard. 

“The team demonstrated strong technical expertise, strategic judgement and excellent project management across all stages of the transaction. Its advice was consistently clear, pragmatic, and solutions-focused, enabling both trusts to maintain momentum against a challenging timetable while ensuring appropriate governance and legal assurance throughout.

“The transaction completed successfully on schedule and in accordance with the agreed programme. The support provided by Browne Jacobson was instrumental in achieving a smooth and legally robust transition to the new organisation.”

Commenting on the merger, Matthew Winn, Chief Executive of East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust, said: “We have taken the opportunity to make things better for our patients and our staff, whilst also ensuring our services stronger and more resilient. Our staff and services already have so much in common - our values, services that provide great care and support to people – but we can do more together.

“Having a specialist community health and care provider in our local communities is an essential part of delivering the ambitious national plans for health and care. In coming together, we will benefit from the combined skills, talents and infrastructure of our legacy organisations. 

“This creates an infrastructure that will support a radical approach to improve outcomes for local people.”