Dorset HealthCare is responsible for all NHS mental health services and many physical health services in Dorset, delivering both hospital and community-based care.
We serve a population of nearly 800,000 people and employ around 7,000 staff, covering a wide range of expertise and specialisms. Our staff provide healthcare at more than 300 sites, ranging from village halls and GP surgeries to mental health inpatient hospitals and community hospitals – as well as in people's homes.
See a list of our services and more information about them.
We have University Trust status and work with Bournemouth University to provide benefits for patients and staff. Our University Trust status supports us in providing innovative care, promoting clinical excellence, developing research and attracting and retaining high-quality staff.
We do not run the large hospitals in Dorset – for information about their services, please visit Dorset County Hospital (in Dorchester) and University Hospitals Dorset (covering Poole and Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals).
Our federation with Dorset County Hospital
In 2022 the Boards of Dorset HealthCare and Dorset County Hospital agreed to appoint a joint Chief Executive and Chair for the two trusts to help simplify decision-making, increase integration and improve quality and outcomes for the people we serve.
In 2024 the trusts agreed to work together through a federated model. This arrangement gives us a framework to work more closely and is an established model being used elsewhere in the country.
Each trust retains its sovereignty with separate Boards and accountability to NHS England and the Care Quality Commission. However, we share a vision, mission and strategic approach and work together wherever it makes sense to do so.
Our shared vision and mission
In 2024 our two trusts developed a joint strategy, ‘Working together, improving lives’, with a shared vision for:
Healthier lives – empowered citizens – thriving communities.
Our shared mission is to:
work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be their best.
The health and care system in Dorset
We are part of the Our Dorset Integrated Care Partnership (ICP), which includes the county’s NHS organisations, our two councils, police and fire services and our partners in the voluntary and community sector.
Building on long-standing, strong and successful partnerships in Dorset, our ICP makes decisions and works together to improve the health and wellbeing of the people living here.
How we are governed and regulated
Dorset HealthCare became a foundation trust on 1 April 2007. As a foundation trust, we are authorised and regulated by NHS England, which supports trusts to ensure they are well-governed and financially robust.
We are also registered without restrictive conditions with the Care Quality Commission, which is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.
Our activities are overseen by our Board, which works closely with our Governors to ensure we are accountable to the community we serve.
Find out more about us via the links below.