NHS groups get backing for merger

FOUR NHS organisations which commission health services in Derbyshire have been granted approval to merge.

NHS England has given the go ahead for Ashbourne’s Southern Derbyshire, North Derbyshire, Erewash and Hardwick to merge in a bid to cut costs and improve services.

The new organisation, Derbyshire CCG, would have a budget of £1.5 billion, 396 staff, 117 GP practices, and oversee 1,045,000 patients when formed in April.

It is thought economies of scale can bring about £51 million in savings by April, on top of around £70 million next year.

The combined organisations have a deficit of £95 million – largely due to overspends by the North Derbyshire and Southern Derbyshire CCGS.

Dr Chris Clayton, the sole chief executive of the CCGS, is keen to see an end to duplication of services and inconsistencies in healthcare provision - which he says has led to a “postcode lottery”.