22.08.17
Three West of England CCGs consider major merger
Three major CCGs in the West of England have this week announced ambitions to push forward with a merger that could see the three organisations come together.
The Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCGs revealed that they are considering the move as all three have a successful track record of working closely together to commission area-wide health services on behalf of local people.
CCG leads will seek approval from membership on the constitutional change during September before consulting the public on the changes.
Leaders also explained that the proposals have been drafted following careful consideration of the potential risk and benefits that they would bring for local patients, partners and the wider health and care system in all three areas.
“The new merged organisation will be built on a strong locality infrastructure,” a joint statement from the CCGs read. “This would ensure we can stay close to local people and GPs, and continue to work in partnership with each of the local authorities, whilst building on the benefits we’ve already got from working together.
“These include eliminating the administrative burden that comes from running three statutory organisations.”
The CCGs went on to say that operating a single administrative and governance function would enable the organisations to focus more staff and resources on delivering improved services and better patient experience.
“A merger would also help to progress our work to create a stronger, clearer and more consistent commissioning ‘voice’ for our area, built on the strong foundations of locality-based, GP-led commissioning, and better able to drive forward the changes needed to deliver the resilient and sustainable NHS services that local people need,” the statement concluded.
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