George Osborne announces start of London NHS devolution
Author: BBC News |
Chancellor George Osborne has signed a health devolution deal for London.
The agreement will see the launch of five pilot schemes designed to transfer power over NHS services from Whitehall to local groups.
It has the backing of Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, London Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS England and councils, the Treasury said.
Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan said London could not wait as long as Manchester had for devolved powers.
The five pilot areas include Haringey, Barking and Dagenham with Havering and Redbridge, North Central London – which includes Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington – as well as Lewisham and Hackney.
Hackney will run a health and social care integration pilot, aiming for full integration of health and social care budgets and joint provision of services. This will also have a particular focus on prevention.