The name for the NHS organisation that will be formed through the merger of Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust has been confirmed as North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC).
Earlier this year the trusts asked for feedback on four name options and North Cumbria was the most popular overall. The words ‘integrated care’ have been added as additional descriptors to signal the need to break away from traditional NHS ways of working.
Professor John Howarth, Deputy Chief Executive for both organisations said: “As a result of the two organisations working closely together with our partners, we are already being regarded nationally as a leading edge integrated care system. We have made some huge improvements in recent years in both quality and how we deliver care.
“Coming together as a single organisation will enable us to step that up a gear and create more opportunities for truly joining up our work. North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust stands for working in a different way and much more collaboratively with all of our partners in the local community. We stand for developing fully integrated teams in local neighbourhoods. We are about collaborating with our partners and local people to serve happier and healthier communities.”
Professor Robin Talbot, Chair of both trusts, said: “Although North Cumbria polled as the most popular choice overall among staff and members of the public there were mixed feelings, particularly where people live or work in west or south Cumbria. We couldn’t find a name that would suit everyone however we have taken the feedback on board and tried to be as inclusive as possible in developing the look for the new organisation.
“We have created a simple graphic which suggests the Cumbrian fells, an iconic image of Cumbria which can be seen from most places in the county and one of the things that Cumbria is known and celebrated for. The combination of some elements of the past branding gives a sense of history and strong identity, brought up to date for a modern look which we are looking forward to sharing with everyone soon.”
Prof John Howarth adds; “As a merged organisation with an increased focus on collaboration, we really want everyone in the community to join North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust as a member. This gives everyone a chance to have their say and help us shape the future of health services.”
Lead governor Jane Smith said: “We have really valued the input of our staff and the wider community in the lead up to the merger and we are hoping that this grows as we work more closely with communities on the ground. We have already made a great deal of progress working together in a range of projects from community hospitals to maternity services but there is real potential to scale this up if more people get involved.”
Any member of the public over the age of 14 can register to join NCIC now by joining Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as this will automatically transfer to membership of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust on 1st October.
The merger is subject to final approval from regulator NHS Improvement, due to take place in September.
