West London GPs back CCG merger
Published on: 27th October 2020
General practices in West London Clinical Commissioning Group have agreed to merge with the other seven CCGs in North West London.
After initially rejecting the merger proposal, practices in the CCG, which covers the Kensington and Chelsea, Queen’s Park and Paddington areas, have now voted overwhelmingly in favour, with 73.5% backing the move to one North West London CCG. A second vote took place after further discussions with GPs across West London to understand their concerns.
This means that GP practices in all eight CCGs have now supported the merger. A merger proposal for all eight CCGs has now been submitted to NHS England, with a view to merging the CCGs from April 2021.
Jo Ohlson, Accountable Officer for the North West London CCGs said:
“We are pleased that practices in West London CCG now feel able to support the merger proposal. All eight CCGs have voted in favour and we have been discussing moving to a single CCG for the last eighteen months."
“Each borough will continue to have its own team to ensure that the right services are provided for local needs. We have learned a great deal from the Covid-19 pandemic, notably about how we function better as one organisation as joint working across all parts of the NHS, in partnership with social care, has been critical to our response.”
Dr Andrew Steeden, GP Chair of West London CCG, added:
“This is good news for patients in West London; as a single body will enable us to reduce duplication and administrative costs, while focusing on improving services for patients and tackling health inequalities across North West London. A strong local voice for both GPs and patients will be critically important to our success – this was a point made by our practices and one on which we were happy to reassure them.”
The eight CCGs are: Brent, Central London, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and West London. The CCGs consulted with local authorities and engaged with local people on the merger proposal.
The proposed merger aligns to the NHS Long Term Plan. To achieve our vision, we need to have one organisation buying and commissioning services for all in North West London – this means moving to a single CCG.
[ENDS]
Notes to Editors
For further information contact:
Rory Hegarty, Director of Communications and Engagement 07852 435637; rory.hegarty@nhs.net
Press Office: nwlccgs.media@nhs.net
