Central Manchester University Hospitals / University Hospital of South Manchester merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the anticipated merger between Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT) and University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM).

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 9 February 2017
• Last updated: 3 August 2017 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Healthcare and medical equipment
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 2 clearance
• Opened: 9 February 2017
• Closed: 3 August 2017

Phase 2

Administrative timetable

Date of referral: 27.2.17

Statutory deadline: 13.8.17

• Full administrative timetable (2.3.17)

Contact

Email: general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk

Use of Hospital Episode Statistics

• Hospital Episode Statistics: CMA process

Final report

• Final report (PDF, 6.25 MB) (3.8.17)
• Appendices and glossary (PDF, 1 MB) (3.8.17)
• Summary of final report (1.8.17)
• Press release: Manchester hospitals merger cleared by CMA (1.8.17)

Responses to provisional findings and notice of possible remedies

• Parties’ summary of patient benefits (1.8.17)
• CMFT/UHSM response to the provisional findings (17.7.17)
• CMFT/UHSM response to the remedies notice (17.7.17)
• CMFT/UHSM response on fractured NOFs (fractured neck of femur) (17.7.17)
• Manchester Health and Care Commissioning (17.7.17)
• MHCC Patient Advisory Group (17.7.17)

Provisional findings

15 June 2017: The CMA has provisionally found that the merger between CMFT and UHSM may reduce competition in the supply of NHS elective services and NHS specialised services, and will now consider the benefits of the merger.

• Provisional findings report (PDF, 1.2 MB) (15.6.17)
  • Provisional findings correction (20.6.17)
• Appendices and glossary (PDF, 1 MB) (15.6.17)
• Notice of provisional findings (15.6.17)
• Notice of possible remedies(15.6.17)
• Press release: Patient benefits can clear way for Manchester hospitals merger (15.6.17)
• NHS Improvement’s advice to the CMA (15.6.17)
  • Appendix (15.6.17)

Evidence

The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.

Hearing summaries

• Healthwatch Manchester (17.7.17)
• Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership and NHS Improvement (17.7.17)
• Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership (12.6.17)
• Manchester Health and Care Commissioning (12.6.17)
• NHS England (12.6.17)
• Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (12.6.17)
• Sir Jonathan Michael (12.6.17)

Responses to issues statement

• Andrew Macdonald (PDF, 3.9 MB) (12.4.17)
• Manchester City Council (6.4.17)
• Care Quality Commission (6.4.17)
• Martin Rathfelder (6.4.17)
• Members of the Public (6.4.17)
• Patient Group (6.4.17)
• Unite the Union (6.4.17)

Initial submissions

• North Central and South Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group (6.4.17)
• CMFT/UHSM Phase 1 submission (6.4.17)
• CMFT/UHSM initial submission (28.3.17)
• CMFT/UHSM submission on patient benefits (PDF, 1.7 MB) (28.3.17)

Issues statement

9 March 2017: The issues statement sets out the scope of the investigation. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.

• Issues statement (9.3.17)
• News story: CMA invites views on Manchester hospital trusts merger (9.3.17)

Inquiry group appointed

The CMA appointed the inquiry group on 28 February 2017.

John Wotton (Inquiry Chair), Robin Aaronson, Malcolm Nicholson, and Roger Witcomb

Terms of reference

27 February 2017: The CMA has referred the anticipated merger between Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust for an in-depth phase 2 investigation.

• Terms of reference

Phase 1

Phase 1 date	Action
9 March 2017	Decision published
27 February 2017	Decision announced
9 February to 16 February 2017	Invitation to comment
9 February 2017	Launch of merger inquiry

Reference decision

27 February 2017: The CMA has referred the anticipated merger between Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust for an in-depth phase 2 investigation under its fast track procedure at the request of the merging parties. A copy of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (9.3.17)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

• Invitation to comment (15.2.17)

Launch of merger inquiry

9 February 2017: The CMA has announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (9.2.17)
• Press release: Manchester hospital trusts request fast track merger reference (9.2.17)

Published 9 February 2017
Last updated 3 August 2017 + show all updates

1. 3 August 2017

   Full final report published.

2. 1 August 2017

   Response to provisional findings published.

3. 1 August 2017

   Summary of final report published.

4. 17 July 2017

   Responses to provisional findings and notice of possible remedies and hearing summaries published.

5. 20 June 2017

   Provisional findings correction published.

6. 15 June 2017

   Provisional findings report published.

7. 12 June 2017

   Hearing summaries published.

8. 12 April 2017

   Response to issues statement published.

9. 6 April 2017

   Initial submissions and responses to issues statement published.

10. 28 March 2017

    Initial submissions published.

11. 9 March 2017

    Full text of the decision and issues statement published.

12. 2 March 2017

    Timetable published and inquiry group appointments added.

13. 27 February 2017

    Reference decision announced.

14. 9 February 2017

    First published.