Healthcare in Somerset

Healthcare in Somerset refers to the provision of healthcare services in the county of Somerset, England. Until July 2022, these services were overseen by three clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). The coverage area included the ceremonial county of Somerset, which encompasses the areas governed by Somerset County Council, as well as the unitary authorities of North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.

The management of healthcare services in Somerset has undergone several changes over the years. From 1947 to 1965, services were managed by the South-Western Regional Hospital Board. In 1965, a new board was formed for Wessex, which also covered Somerset. In 1974, the regional health authorities replaced the boards, with Somerset falling under the South West RHA. Reorganizations took place in 1996 and 2006, with Somerset coming under the South and West Regional Health Authority and NHS South West, respectively.

In 2013, the primary care trusts in the area were abolished and replaced by clinical commissioning groups. These groups were then replaced by integrated care systems in 2022.

Somerset formed a sustainability and transformation plan area in March 2016, with Dr. Matthew Dolman, the Chair of Somerset CCG, leading the initiative. The area aimed to improve the sustainability and quality of healthcare services. Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust merged in April 2020 to form Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which provides acute, community, and mental health services.

Plans for a merger between Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust were announced in November 2020, further consolidating healthcare services in the region.