Cambridgeshire NHS Trust dissolution and UK health and safety law: business impact for duty holders and compliance professionals

Cambridgeshire NHS Trust dissolution and UK health and safety law: business impact for duty holders and compliance professionals

What has changed

The Cambridgeshire Community Services National Health Service Trust Dissolution Order 2026 dissolves the Trust as a legal entity. The effect for health and safety practice is that governance and accountability for ongoing safety obligations will transition to a successor organisation determined by government and regulators.

Why this matters

UK health and safety law requires clear responsibility for risk management at all times. A dissolution can create gaps if accountability shifts without formal handover. Organisations must ensure continuity of risk assessment, control measures and monitoring during the transition to prevent harm to workers and service users. HSE expectations typically focus on the regime that continues governance and safety oversight, so early planning reduces enforcement risk and demonstrates proactive governance.

Steps organisations should take to achieve compliance

During the transition, duty holders should consider the following actions:

• Identify the successor body and confirm who will lead on health and safety during the handover
• Review and map current health and safety governance arrangements to the new structure
• Update risk assessments to cover services and operations handed over from the Trust
• Revisit contractor and supplier management to reflect new accountability
• Communicate roles and responsibilities to staff and contractors and update training as needed
• Ensure competent advice is available through the transition, including access to a competent person
• Align management systems with ISO 45001 where appropriate and consider specialist support from Synergos

Practical support and guidance can help embed robust governance during transition. See ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management, health and safety risk assessments, Competent Person support and health and safety support packages.

Incorporating these steps supports ongoing governance, robust risk controls and sustained compliance with UK health and safety law throughout the dissolution process.

A well planned transition helps protect workers and service users, supports governance resilience and aligns with a modern health and safety management approach such as ISO 45001.