The new organisation's budget will exceed �500m a year

The Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) and Nottingham City Hospital will be known as Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust as of 1 April.

The new organisation's budget will exceed �500m a year. The decision was made by the Health Secretary following public consultation.

But it could mean up to 1,000 jobs are under threat.

In September, the QMC's chief executive David Edwards told the BBC the future success of both hospitals depended on cutting costs - and he warned of around 1,000 job cuts being implemented over the next three years.

Public consultation

Management will look to avoid compulsory job losses under the merger, but union bosses have already indicated they are concerned over a possible loss of beds and administrative staff.

The decision to merge the two hospitals was made by Patricia Hewitt after a public consultation as well as a recommendation by Trent Strategic Health Authority.

David Edwards, along with chief executive of Nottingham City Hospital Jenny Leggott, said the merger would unite the strengths of the two hospitals and be good for patient care, teaching and research.