Poorly performing NHS hospitals in England should be taken over by either the private sector or the best foundation trusts rather than be allowed to merge, says a new report.

Clinicians will also have to be encouraged to take on more of a leadership role and be persuaded that a takeover can mean safer and higher quality care for patients and better working conditions for staff, it says.

The report is published by the independent think tank Reform and was coauthored by Paul Corrigan, who was a health adviser to the former prime minister Tony Blair.

Takeover: Tackling Failing NHS Hospitals says that the current favoured policy of merging failing NHS hospitals does not work, and it …