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Three Northern STPS in merger talks

Which three STPs are thinking of merging?

Health leaders are reported to have opened discussions leading to a merger of three northern sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs).

Health Service Journal editors have reported that the STPs involved are Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and North Durham STP; Durham, Darlington, Teesside, Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby STP; and West, North and East Cumbria STP.

The talks are said to be at an early stage, but the existing STPs’ 12 clinical commissioning groups are forming a joint commissioning committee with delegated decision making powers. The committee is due to meet for the first time later this year.

The STPs share work programmes, including the North East and Cumbria learning disabilities transforming care programme, the Northern cancer alliance and the North East & Cumbria Digital Care Programme, which is developing a joint care record system for the region.

The proposed merger would create the largest STP in the country, covering a population of 3.2m people. Greater Manchester STP has a population of 2.8m.

The West, North and East Cumbria STP is said to be the smallest in England, with a population of 327,000. It has recently been taken out of NHS England’s ‘success regime’.

Further information

Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust: STP for West, North and East Cumbria

Hartlepool and Stockton Clinical Commissioning Group: Local digital roadmap narrative

HSJMerger talks to create largest STP in the country

Necn.nhs.co.uk: Northern cancer alliance

NEchangingcare.com: North East and Cumbria learning disabilities transforming care programme

Northumberland CCG: Sustainability and transformation plans