Birmingham CCGs plan merger

Two clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Birmingham are planning a merger to deal with the area’s “complex” healthcare landscape.

The move would make the combined Birmingham CrossCity and Northeast Birmingham CCG the fourth largest in the country, with 177 GP practices and a population of 730,000.

It would also bring the number of CCGs down from 212 to 211.

Dr Gavin Ralston, Chair of Birmingham CrossCity CCG, he is “very much looking forward” to working with the staff of Northeast Birmingham CCG.

Two clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Birmingham are planning a merger to deal with the area’s “complex” healthcare landscape.

The move would make the combined Birmingham CrossCity and Northeast Birmingham CCG the fourth largest in the country, with 177 GP practices and a population of 730,000.

It would also bring the number of CCGs down from 212 to 211.

Dr Gavin Ralston, Chair of Birmingham CrossCity CCG, he is “very much looking forward” to working with the staff of Northeast Birmingham CCG.

“This is going to be a large, dynamic CCG, which will have the potential to improve and redefine healthcare for the people of our city at a strategic level whilst retaining a vital local focus,” he said.

“Our approach recognises the importance of strong clinical engagement through our ten local networks, whilst providing a large enough organisation to deal effectively with Birmingham’s complex healthcare landscape.”

Dr Anthony Ainsworth, Chair of Northeast Birmingham CCG, said he has formed “excellent relationships” with Birmingham CrossCity CCG and has also started the process of developing “meaningful patient engagement”.

“We look forward to continuing to develop this work, which we believe to be vital to the success of the CCG, while also contributing to the larger scale work across the city,” he said.

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