During March the governing bodies of NHS South Sefton, NHS Southport and Formby and NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGS) are expected to agree steps to come together through a formal merger from 1 April 2018.

It follows a series of discussions between the governing bodies beginning in November 2016 exploring the benefits of becoming a single commissioning entity for Sefton and Liverpool. A resulting proposal setting out the steps towards a merger will be presented at the three CCG governing body meetings during March.

The governing bodies believe a merger is the best way to strengthen local commissioning and improve outcomes for our different populations. They feel they will be able to better maximise of the resources and assets available to them by consolidating clinical leadership and working more efficiently during this financially challenging time for the NHS.

Already their transformational programmes - Shaping Sefton and Healthy Liverpool - are coming together through the North Mersey Local Delivery System, and a merger will unite this work.

Dr Rob Caudwell, chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “Together we believe we will be able to do more to improve the health of our populations, by maximising our collective resources and assets to strengthen our work as commissioners during this challenging time for the NHS."

Dr Andrew Mimnagh, chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “Importantly, this single commissioning organisation will only be effective if it retains the local focus and progress made by each CCG since we were established in 2013, continuing to work closely with our member GP practices, council partners, wider communities and distinct populations."

Dr Nadim Fazlani, chair of NHS Liverpool CCG, said: “By retaining the local talent, skills, experience and focus of the existing organisations, our patients will benefit from a stronger CCG, capable of meeting the challenges we’re facing in the NHS, to ensure we continue to commission high quality healthcare into the future.”

NHS England and the CCGs’ member GP practices will need to formally approve a merger, and talks with these parties will begin in April 2017.