In April 2013, CCGs replaced PCTs (Primary Care Trust) across the country. The main differences between CCGs and PCTs is the bottom up approach to solving issues which provides better care for patients. This includes involving clinicians more in the issues and solutions for patients' care needs.

What happened to PCTs?

The Health and Social Care Act 2012 received royal assent on 27 March 2012 and PCTs were formally abolished on 31 March 2013. Some of their staff were transferred to commissioning support units, some to local authorities, some to clinical commissioning groups, some to NHS England and some were made redundant.

Are ICS replacing CCG?

Clinical commissioning groups will be subsumed into integrated care systems by the end of 2021, and will be statutorily dissolved into ICS in April 2022 if the government's planned health bill goes ahead, says new planning guidance from NHS England.