Three commissioning support units have announced they have are considering a merger or a formal partnership arrangement.

Kent and Medway CSU is in talks with the South London and North West London CSUs over options to work more closely together. Those options are broadly described as a “partnership” arrangement, an “alliance” between the three, or a full merger.

A spokesman for North West London CSU said the options are still being discussed. When an agreement is reached, the three will develop a business case.

The three have already signed a memorandum of understanding.

HSJ reported in June that the two London CSUs were exploring partnership working, including a possible merger.

A joint release from the three CSUs said that the talks had been prompted by NHS England’s support services lead provider framework plan. CSUs are known to have been in talks over collaborating to provide services as a result, closely monitored by NHS England.

“By working together we expect to be in a much stronger position to achieve this, given the scale and breadth of services that we are able to offer”, the statement said.

“We have therefore decided to prioritise our efforts to get on the framework over organisational change at this time as this will be the main route for CCGs to procure commissioning support in the future.”

Between them, the three CSUs employ 1,420 people and provide support services for 32 clinical commissioning groups.

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