Cheshire and Merseyside could soon have one clinical commissioning group (CCG) to provide NHS services in the region — despite four Cheshire CCGs merging just eight months ago.

The move could form part of the government's push to 'streamline commissioning arrangements', even though the county welcomed a new body in April 2020.

In January, NHS England published 'operational guidance' which stated its intention "for all developing integrated care systems to be actively 'streamlining commissioning arrangements, including typically one CCG per system'", according to an NHS Cheshire CCG spokesperson, who confirmed the plans had been discussed at a national level recently.

The spokesperson added: "Prior to this publication, work had started across the nine CCGs in Cheshire and Merseyside looking at what would need to be done to progress any possible future merger of the CCGs.

"All CCGs will need to consider this latest publication and the proposed direction of travel. Until such time it would be premature to comment any further on a local position."

The Cheshire and Merseyside area is currently sub-divided into a 'public health collaborative' which tackles a range of public health issues.

Although the CCG refused to comment on the plans at a local level, they did tell the LDRS that 'work has been ongoing for some time' in Cheshire and Merseyside on 'the integration of local commissioning and provision on a borough basis, to meet the needs of local populations'.

It cited Cheshire's existing two integrated care partnerships — based on local authority areas — which are developing integrated commissioning and service provision at place with the CCG.

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The spokesperson continued: "This direction of travel was clearly stated as a key part of the case for change for the merger of the four predecessor CCGs into NHS Cheshire CCG."

Along with the NHS Cheshire CCG, the area currently has CCGs for Warrington, Wirral, Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, South Sefton, St Helens, and Southport & Formby.