New clinical commissioning groups for North Yorkshire after mergers

Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are groups of GP practices responsible for planning and buying health services in their areas from a range of providers.

This month (April 2020) three CCGs in North Yorkshire have merged to form one organisation, while another has merged into a group of CCGs also covering Bradford.

NHS England approved the merger of NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG, NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG and NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG to become the North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group on 1 April 2020.

In addition, the former NHS Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG has merged with the two Bradford CCGs to become the Bradford and Craven CCG.

There are now four CCGs covering North Yorkshire. They are:

CCGs, which nationally are responsible for about two thirds of the NHS England budget – £79.9 billion in 2019/20 – assess local needs, deciding priorities and strategies, and then buy services on behalf of the population from providers such as hospitals, clinics and community health bodies. They are responsible for the health of their entire population, and measured by how much they improve outcomes.

NHS England has big ambitions for primary care networks, with the expectation that they will help to deliver many of the commitments in the long-term plan and offer a wider range of services to patients.

Find out about your local primary care network here.