New NHS health and care system in Lancashire launched today

The eight NHS clinical commissioning groups that have been responsible for overseeing local NHS services for more than a decade will formally shut down and are being replaced by NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board also known as NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The new organisation, launched today (July 1) will be responsible for NHS spending and the day-to-day running of the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Chief executive Kevin Lavery said: “Health and care services are undergoing one of the biggest and most exciting changes in decades. From today, the way health and care services are organised across Lancashire and South Cumbria will change.

Kevin Lavery is the Chief executive of the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board

“We have a core purpose to improve outcomes in population health and healthcare and tackle inequalities in outcomes, experience and access. We also need to enhance productivity and value for money and help the NHS support broader social and economic development.”

In Lancashire and South Cumbria over the past few years, there have been considerable developments in health services, local authorities and wider partnership teams working together thanks to the commitment of health and social care staff.

Alongside the new NHS organisation, the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership has been formally established as part of the new Health and Care Act 2022.

This brings together health and care partners, including local authorities and voluntary and community groups who are working closely to agree on priorities and a health and care strategy.

Kevin also paid tribute to those who have been involved in the CCGs over the last nine years.

He said: “The CCGs really put local clinicians at the heart of developments in local NHS commissioning. I would like to thank all of those involved including the staff and the GP board members.”