THE four Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have merged to become a single organisation.
The merger, which includes NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG, comes after consultation with the public, staff, providers and other key stakeholders.
It has also been supported by doctors’ practices in Herefordshire and Worcestershire as well as each former CCGs’ governing bodies.
However the new organisation, ‘NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG’ says the merger does not affect any health or care services provided by NHS organisations or local councils across the area, but does reduce the duplication of roles and governance that previously existed behind the scenes in the four organisations.
Simon Trickett, Chief Executive of the new body said: “Clearly we are currently working in some unprecedented and challenging circumstances and our immediate focus remains on responding to the Covid-19 outbreak.
“Our main priority is, and always will be, our patients and the health and wellbeing of our local population.
“We will not lose sight of the different needs of our local communities and we will continue to work with local organisations so that people’s needs, views and experiences remain at the heart of our decision making.”
A public engagement exercise drew support for proposals with more than half of respondents in favour of a single CCG.
A subsequent ballot of GP member practices in the four CCG areas found 94 per cent of practices in favour of a merger.
