A BRADFORD MP has criticised plans to merge the district's three clinical commissioning groups, saying it will not address problems in healthcare in the district.

Earlier this month, it was announced that plans to merge Bradford City, Bradford District and Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCGs were underway.

The move will save around £1 million by reducing the duplication of governance roles and would also not affect any health or care services provided by the NHS.

However, Bradford East MP Imran Hussain is calling for the plans to be halted amid concerns £8 million of additional funding recently granted to Bradford City CCG would be split across all three CCG areas.

He is also raising concerns about the merger's impact on health inequalities across the district.

Mr Hussain said: "Any plans to change the provision of healthcare in Bradford must always work to reduce the challenges faced by the city.

"These include the long GP waiting times and high levels of health inequalities.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford East MP Imran Hussain is calling for the merger plans to be halted Bradford East MP Imran Hussain is calling for the merger plans to be halted

"I am concerned that these new arrangements are not focused on this goal, but solely on reducing administrative costs with little thoughts for improving services for patients.

“With the planned new CCG covering such a large and broad area with varying levels of healthcare needs, I am also concerned that it will be unable to effectively address and focus on the specific needs of those living in more deprived areas whilst at the same time trying to address those in more affluent areas, and that the quality of the services in both of these areas will suffer as a result.

“Bradford City CCG was recently awarded an additional £8 million of funding by NHS England to help tackle the high levels of health inequalities in the city.

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"I am adamant that the CCGs must agree that this funding is ringfenced in the event of a merger to prevent it from being spent in areas of low deprivation and low need.”

Between them, the three CCGs provide care for around 600,000 people, and a merger would bring together 75 doctors' practices across the Bradford district and Craven.

Helen Hirst, chief officer for Bradford district and Craven CCGs, said: "All NHS organisations are required to reduce their running costs by 20 per cent by March 31, 2020, which means finding a saving of £2.5 million across Bradford district and Craven.

"By creating one single CCG we estimate we can reduce our costs by around £1 million, which is 40 per cent of the savings we need to make – and it will reduce some of the bureaucracy that running three groups brings."

A public consultation has been opened on the proposed merger, with the deadline for responses Sunday, June 9.

To respond, visit surveymonkey.com/r/CCGsurvey, email consultation@bradford.nhs.uk, or write to NHS Bradford CCGs at Scorex House, 1 Bolton Road, BD1 4AS.