Services in Harrow will not suffer as a result of the proposed merger between eight clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in north-west London, health officials said.

A spokesman for Harrow CCG said the move – which is scheduled for April 2020 or 2021 – will address concerns around health inequalities in the region.

The proposals are part of a wider NHS initiative to reduce the number of CCGs across England to streamline decision-making and eliminate varying costs between neighbouring areas.

But some residents in Harrow believe the change could lead to a reduction in localised services in the borough and fewer opportunities to hold powers to account.

The Harrow CCG spokesman explained there would still be a “senior team” in the borough, which will work with Harrow Council on the management of local services and contracts.

He explained some decisions between the eight CCGs are already made by a joint committee, rather than by individual bodies.

“Working across north-west London we have a greater ability to improve consistency in patient care for all residents in our eight boroughs,” he added.

Mark Easton, accountable officer for the eight west-London CCGs, said he expects there to be the “same levels” of scrutiny and transparency as there is currently.

He explained there has been integrated work between the various CCGs over the past 18 months which gave an insight into future workings and should ease the transition.

And he welcomed the enthusiasm shown by members of Harrow Council’s health and wellbeing board in contributing to a “bottom-up, locally-led” process.