Dear Editor

On reading the Ross Gazette recently I saw an item relating to the proposed changes to our health services in Herefordshire. The article announced a consultation on the amalgamation of four CCG’s (Clinical Commissioning Groups) covering Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The proposed change is the precursor to the ‘full blown’ absorption of health provision in our area by Worcestershire, do we really want to be tied to the worst performing health Authority in the UK? The integration of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health Authorities is the corner stone of the STP (Sustainability and Transformation Plan) being developed without any genuine consultation involving the general public, which appears to have one key goal, that being, meeting future funding targets.

The existing CCGs are made up of one for the whole of Herefordshire and three for Worcestershire, it doesn’t take a genius to work out who gains the most from the change envisaged. Herefordshire will become the poor relation of the amalgamated CCG, which will result in weaker representation and prioritisation of our local needs. Let Worcestershire rationalise their CCGs if they wish, but let’s retain our local organisation.

Please take the opportunity to reject the suggested combining of CCG’s via the consultation, by requesting the retention of the existing body for Herefordshire.

Patrick Hughes

Wilton