Under section 27, if a merger application is authorised by Monitor, the two applicant trusts will be dissolved and a new NHS foundation trust will be created. The combined entity therefore needs to be legally constituted, financially viable and well governed. Similar considerations arise in the case of an acquisition by a foundation trust, although here the foundation trust is not dissolved. There is extensive research that demonstrates that realising the full benefits of a merger can be difficult, and is critically dependent on a robust advance plan for integrating the two entities. Monitor believes that mergers have the potential to create a number of significant risks to an NHS foundation trust’s ability to comply with its Terms of Authorisation. Mergers are seldom the solution to inherent weaknesses in organisations. To be successful the organisations concerned need first to address the problems they face in the short term, whether these involve cutting costs, improving models of care, tackling governance weaknesses or other issues. We the public, want to know when all the problems highlighted at the North Essex Partnership Trust will be addressed and when governance will improve ....we don't see it happening... The photograph below shows items smuggled into a North Essex Partnership Trust ward by a suicidal patient only recently.......all patients are meant to be searched on arrival to ward.....LOOK MONITOR...this still isn't being carried out by the North Essex Partnership Trust!!!!!!!!! SHAMEFUL.