Launch of new Clinical Commissioning Group

NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has launched.

The new organisation has been created from the merger of the area’s three CCGs, which already worked closely together. The merger was strongly supported by the CCGs’ GP membership, as a logical next step that would help to create a stronger and clearer commissioning ‘voice’ for the local area.

Local GP and incoming Chair of the new CCG, Dr Jonathan Hayes, said:

“This is a really exciting development for the NHS in our area that promises a range of benefits for patients and the wider health and care system.

“By pooling our budgets and adopting a single, strategic vision we’re creating a stronger and more dynamic commissioning organisation that’s better able to work with health and care providers to deliver the sustainable and resilient NHS services that local people need.”

“Moving to a single organisation covering Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire will also promote more consistent services for all patients, as well as a better fit with our partners, many of whom already operate across the three areas.

He added: “As before, we will remain at our heart a GP-led organisation with commissioning decisions guided by family doctors, as the people who know their patients best.

“To further strengthen our local focus, we’re also introducing a new locality structure based on our natural communities of GPs and their patients, which will make sure we remain sensitive to local needs.”

The CCG is led by Chief Executive Julia Ross, who was appointed last year as part of the introduction of a single management structure for the three CCGs.