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Written question asked by Grahame Morris (Labour) on Friday, 19 July 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 July 2019 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Wednesday, 24 July 2019. A substantive answer was provided by Stephen Hammond (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 July 2019 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Clinical Commissioning Groups: North East

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect on public engagement in the NHS of the proposed merger of five clinical commissioning groups in the North East.

Answer

The clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are currently looking at different options as to how they can work together in the future to consolidate their current collaborative working arrangements. The emerging preferred option from the public, member, staff, partner and stakeholder engagement so far, is a single CCG in Durham, which would be co-terminus with the local authority and a single CCG in the Tees Valley (covering the Tees Combined Authority area) with a shared management arrangement.

The CCGs in Durham have been working together for some time with joint appointments since 2014 and ‘in-common’ meetings since May 2017. NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG and NHS North Durham CCG also have a shared lay member for patient and public participation.

Should the CCGs decide to progress the merger application at the end of August, a Communication and Engagement Strategy, which is currently in development, will be submitted with the application.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
279425
Session
2017-19
Subjects
North East Clinical commissioning groups
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk