Survey launched on proposed change to how healthcare is organised in Milton Keynes

At present there are three Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) serving Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK).

Each CCG is made up of clinicians, GP Member Practices and NHS managers, who work together to buy health services for their local communities. This allows doctors, nurses and other health professionals to be involved in deciding what services are most needed.

A proposal is now being considered to bring together all three CCGs to form one organisation by April 2021 which would be called NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group.

The proposal is seen as a natural development of the close working relationship that has been operating between the three CCGs since 2018. This successful collaboration has provided access to increased national funding which has led to the introduction of new and improved services across the region.

Dr Nicola Smith, Clinical Chair for BLMK CCGs, said: “It is important that local residents have the opportunity to understand the proposals and provide their feedback on how their health services are commissioned.

"If our proposals are accepted we will ensure that the CCG remains locally focused and clinically led, maintaining the key decision making and advisory role of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals that will ensure that patient outcomes are at the centre of all we do.

“Becoming one organisation brings great opportunity to deliver services in innovative ways and economies of scale that will enable us to reinvest in front line services, where patients see a real difference.”

To explain the benefits and challenges of becoming one organisation a Public Engagement document has been published. A survey has also been launched to enable the public to give their views on the proposed change.

The public can access the Public Engagement document and survey by clicking here. The survey is open until 13 September 2020