Two CCGs propose merger under new NHS England guidelines

Aylesbury Vale and Chiltern CCGs have applied to NHS England to merge, according the organisations’ governing body papers.

If approved, this will be only the second CCG merger since the organisations were set up in 2013.

The first was between Gateshead, Newcastle North and East and Newcastle West CCGs in April 2014.

However, when Simon Stevens took over as chief executive of NHS England shortly after, he informally banned mergers.

Aylesbury Vale and Chiltern CCGs have applied to NHS England to merge, according the organisations’ governing body papers.

If approved, this will be only the second CCG merger since the organisations were set up in 2013.

The first was between Gateshead, Newcastle North and East and Newcastle West CCGs in April 2014.

However, when Simon Stevens took over as chief executive of NHS England shortly after, he informally banned mergers.

In November last year, NHS England lifted the ban, saying that mergers must ‘provide a logical footprint for delivery of the local STPs’.

The two CCGs formally federated on 1 July 2016 and share a governing body, one clinical executive committee and one single management team.

The board papers add that the merger will enable the CCG to have one finance system, which will provide a ‘more streamlined, robust process for analysing information from providers and supplying information to other stakeholders’.

Dr Graham Jackson, chair of Aylesbury Vale CCG chair and co-chair of NHS Clinical Commissioners, said: ‘Informal debate with NHS England has been supportive of the direction of travel.

‘In Buckinghamshire the two CCGs have the majority of their hospital services provided by one trust, we have one provider of mental health services and increasingly work with our county council colleagues.

‘A single CCG across Bucks makes absolute sense to serve our population and for the enhanced collaborative working as we move to new models of delivery.’

Related news