Launch day for new NHS trust created by merger

A new NHS trust which will provide care for thousands of patients in the region has been officially launched.

Following NHS England approval, the East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (EECH&CT) came into operation on Wednesday.

It has been created by the merger of the Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (CCS) and the Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C).

Both CCS and NCH&C said the move would not affect patients.

EECH&CT will now oversee community services at a mix of hospitals, health centres and GP practices at locations including Cambridge, Peterborough and Norwich.

Matthew Winn, CCS and NCH&C group chief executive officer, said: "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.

"This creates an infrastructure that will support a radical approach to improve outcomes for local people," he said.

CCS and NCH&C have shared a chief executive since September 2023 and formed an NHS Group in April 2025.

The name of the new trust will appear on letters and buildings, but patients have been told existing phone numbers and websites will still work.

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