Two local hospital charities are to join forces.

From 1 April Bournemouth Hospital Charity and Poole Hospital Charity are to come together to create University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity.

Debbie Anderson, head of charity, said, “The newly formed charity will enable us to support a wider range of fundraising and provide even more support across all three hospital sites.

“We urge our wonderful supporters of both Poole Hospital Charity and Bournemouth Hospital Charity to continue to support us in our new partnership so we can do even more to improve patient welfare as well as staff wellbeing and support.”

Supporters will still be able to donate to a ward, department, or hospital of their choice across Poole, Royal Bournemouth, or Christchurch.