The merger of the community services provider arms of NHS Bury (i); NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (ii); and NHS Oldham (iii) with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The community services provider arms of NHS Bury (Community Services Bury); NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (HMR Community Healthcare); and NHS Oldham (Oldham Community Health Services) are each proposing to merge with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The CCP has carried out a preliminary assessment using the screens set out in its fast-track guidelines. This assessment indicates that the transaction is likely to be consistent with the Principles and Rules for Cooperation and Competition. Our Notice of Acceptance (available below) provides more detail on the screening tests that we consider are satisfied at this stage of our review.

The CCP will now finalise its assessment on the consistency of the transaction with the Principles and Rules for Cooperation and Competition and will produce a short-form report. If analysis or submissions from interested individuals or organisations indicate that the mergers are not suitable for the fast-track procedure then a Phase I review will be initiated.

The CCP welcomes submissions in writing from interested individuals and organisations on whether these mergers are appropriate for its fast-track procedure or any other issue or matter relevant to the CCP's assessment of these transactions under the Principles and Rules for Cooperation and Competition. To submit evidence, please reply to the email address: cases@ccpanel.gsi.gov.uk.

The closing date for submissions is 7 December 2010.