Estates integration assurance for the Somerset Trusts merger
Uniting estates intelligence to deliver clear risks, clean assurance, and a confident merger pathway
The challenge
Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SomPar) and Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (T&S) needed a rapid estates due diligence review to support their NHSI merger Business Case. Their combined £243m estate spanned complex compliance positions, varied data quality, significant backlog pressures and multiple major capital schemes. With over 96 documents to reconcile and no time for site inspections, the trusts required a single, defensible assurance view — fast — to confirm whether any estates issues could delay or derail the transaction.
The solution/our approach
Aligned to NHSI Transactions Guidance; initiated governance, information requests and a desktop methodology (no site inspections), with meetings/interviews across both Estates & Facilities teams.
Consolidated and validated datasets (ERIC, Model Hospital; 6-Facet summaries/backlog; statutory compliance logs; PAM; PLACE; capital programme and risk registers).
Confirmed occupancy arrangements and legal context, liaising with Bevan Brittan on freehold/leasehold titles and producing RAG risk narratives and a consolidated lease governance recommendation.
Produced a combined assurance picture with RAG ratings, quantified backlog risks and recommended mitigations/integration steps (e.g., new 6-Facet at T&S, PAM continuity, lease management group integration).
Delivered a board-ready report with narrative findings, property/asset datasets and a compliance log – suitable as evidence for the merger Business Case.
Impact
Delivered the Final Estate Due Diligence Report, including a board‑ready narrative, appendices and RAG‑rated risk summary.
Consolidated property and asset datasets, with clear lease and occupancy summaries.
Produced a Compliance Log approach and synthesis of statutory and mandatory health & safety requirements.
Set out recommendations on backlog maintenance strategy, PAM/PLACE continuity, lease governance and capital planning interfaces.
Strengthened submission readiness for the merger Business Case by evidencing a robust estates assurance position.
Highlighted one red risk (backlog maintenance at T&S) with a clear mitigation pathway, including updated 6‑Facet work and investment planning.
Provided a shared estates baseline and governance recommendations to support smoother post‑transaction integration.
