HEREFORDSHIRE'S Clinical Commissioning Group has merged with groups in Worcestershire to become a single organisation in a bid to streamline commissioning arrangements.

NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG has been established to replace NHS Herefordshire CCG, NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG, NHS South Worcestershire CCG and NHS Wyre Forest CCG.

The merger follows a period of engagement last year with the public, staff, providers and other key stakeholders. It has also been supported by GP practices in Herefordshire and Worcestershire as well as each former CCGs’ Governing Bodies.

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 within the four organisations, the new CCG said.

Simon Trickett, Chief Executive of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG 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.

“Having already set up combined governance and decision-making arrangements across the four CCGs, this merger was the next logical step. 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 conducted across Herefordshire and Worcestershire earlier this year drew support for proposals to bring together the four CCGs, with over half of the respondents in favour of the creation of a single CCG.

A subsequent ballot of GP member practices in each of the four CCG areas drew even stronger support, with 94% of practices across Herefordshire and Worcestershire in favour of a merger.