National regulators have given conditional approval for a single Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG to be created in April 2021. This will replace the current Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of CCGs (which has been a mechanism for closer joint working of Fareham and Gosport, Isle of Wight, North Hampshire, and South Eastern Hampshire CCGs over the last three years) and Southampton City CCG and West Hampshire CCG. Portsmouth CCG plan to remain a separate statutory body and work closely with the newly formed CCG.
The six CCGs have been working closely together for some time and the process of merging will formalise this joint working. The merger follows a period of engagement with staff, local health and care organisations, patient representative groups and other stakeholders to seek views and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such a move. It has been supported by GP member practices across the area as well as by each CCG Governing Body (boards led by local GP leaders).
The proposal to merge has been developed in the context of national policy and local plans for health and care across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The proposed new CCG will have the flexibility to maintain a strong local focus as well as achieve the benefits of working at scale across the whole area, when needed. Local leadership is crucial to making the right decisions for local communities and that will continue. This will support our communities to stay as healthy as possible and ensure residents have access to high quality healthcare services when they need them.
While there remain some final steps to take before final approval is granted, the CCGs are now working towards 1 April 2021 for the creation of the new organisation. This period will see continued engagement with all stakeholder groups ahead of a formal merger.