TWO hospital trusts are creating a joint board to continue working more closely to attract investment and tackle the health and care inequalities which have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

South Tees NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, which work across Teesside and North Yorkshire, plan to strengthen the work they do together in the future.

They are creating a new strategic board to tackle common issues affecting both trusts, which employ 15,000 people in the area, and hope to have a stronger collective voice to attract the investment needed to upgrade facilities.

Paul Garvin, chair of the North Tees trust, said: “Working together has been important in enabling health services in the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire to respond to COVID-19 and I am very pleased that the benefits of closer working between both trusts will continue beyond the pandemic.”

Alan Downey, chair at South Tees NHS Foundation Trust said: “I am delighted that the boards and governors of the two trusts have agreed to the establishment of a strategic board and the appointment of a joint chair.

"These are very positive steps which will benefit patients and lead to better health and care outcomes for the population we serve."

Together, the trusts plan to carry out work to improve the health and wellbeing of the populations they serve, tackle health inequalities exacerbated by Covid-19, play a role in bringing inward investment into Tees Valley and North Yorkshire and strengthen the recruitment and retention of specialist doctors and nurses.

The trusts will create a joint chair role, with recruitment due to start in March and expected to be completed by the summer.

Neil Mundy, who has more than 20 years of experience with the NHS, will be interim joint chair from February 2.

He is currently convener for the NHS Integrated Care System for the North East and North Cumbria.

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham said: "It has been clear throughout this pandemic that collaboration and joint working in our health services is very much needed to ensure patients get the very best treatment. I very much welcome the news that North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust will work in a more formalised manner with their colleagues south of the Tees.

“This joint working and dedication to our communities from local Trusts and health workers must be matched with more resources and funding from national government. With more capital our NHS Trusts would be able to provide more facilities – a new hospital being a key a component of this – to deliver these treatment pathways.”