Healthcare in Devon

Healthcare in Devon refers to the provision of healthcare services in the county of Devon, England. Until July 2022, healthcare in Devon was overseen by two clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). One CCG covered Northern, Eastern, and Western Devon, which is the largest area with a population of 900,000 people, while the other CCG covered South Devon and Torbay. In November 2018, it was announced that the two CCGs would merge.

The management of NHS services in Devon has undergone several changes over the years. From 1947 to 1974, healthcare services were managed by the South-Western Regional Hospital Board. In 1974, regional health authorities replaced the boards, and Devon came under the South West Regional Health Authority. Reorganization in 1996 led to Devon falling under the South and West Regional Health Authority. The Devon Area Health Authority, established in 1974, had four district health authorities based in Exeter, North Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay. In 1993, Exeter and North Devon were combined, as were Plymouth and Torbay. In 2002, eight primary care trusts (PCTs) were established in the county, which later merged to form Devon PCT, overseen by NHS South West.

In April 2013, the responsibilities of the former PCTs were transferred to the clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay. However, in 2015, tensions were reported between the Northern, Eastern, and Western Devon CCG and the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust. A facilitator was appointed to support contract negotiations between the two organizations.

In June 2015, the North, East, and West Devon area was identified as one of three regions for the new "success regime" initiated by Simon Stevens, CEO of NHS England. This regime aimed to address issues in the local health economy by partnering with NHS England, Monitor, and the NHS Trust Development Authority. Additionally, in October 2017, it was announced that the four acute trusts in Devon would share staff to address workforce deficiencies and support service standards.

As of July 2022, the clinical commissioning groups in Devon have been replaced with integrated care systems, marking a significant change in the healthcare landscape of the county.