Full story in the HSJ, 11 April 2018
Community services across a swathe of the South West could be consolidated into a single service as a newly merged clinical commissioning group seeks to relieve pressure on hospitals.
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG chief executive Julia Ross told HSJ a disjointed community service was a major contributor to the region’s urgent care struggles.
She said: “There will be a proposal going to our governing body about potentially going to commission a single service across BNSSG.
“We definitely need to offer a consistent community service across BNSSG and today it’s not.”
Ms Ross also effectively confirmed a permanent downgrade of Weston Hospital’s accident and emergency department was likely, with the unit likely to reopen overnight for some patient groups, such as children and the frail elderly, and “critical care” moving permanently to Bristol hospitals overnight.