Redditch and Bromsgrove doctors ready to take charge

Buy photos » Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG has been given official approval to take charge of commissioning health services for the two towns from April. Pictured are some of the team (back) Dr Catherine McGregor, Dr Edward Barrett, assistant clinical chair Dr Richard Davies, chief finance officer Mary Walters, lead practice manager Linda Pratt, executive nurse Jo Galloway, (front) chief officer Simon Hairsnape, CCG chair and clinical lead Dr Jonathan Wells and PPI Forum chair Judy Adams. Picture by Ian Dipple. (s)

DOCTORS in Redditch and Bromsgrove have been given the green light to take control of running health services in the two towns.

Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group has been officially authorised by the NHS Commissioning Board to decide how to spend the £182million budget at their disposal to treat and improve the health of residents.

Approval was given on Tuesday (January 22) following a rigorous assessment process which found the CCG met all 119 criteria for authorisation.

The group was set-up early last year and has been working with NHS Worcestershire in the background but from April will be responsible for buying in hospital, community and mental health services.

It is made up of 22 GP practices in Redditch and Bromsgrove as well as a hospital doctor and an executive nurse.

CCGs were created by the Government as part of its healthcare reforms with the aim of putting more control in the hands of doctors best placed to provide services for their patients, rather than managers.

Dr Jonathan Wells, chair and clinical leader of Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG, said: "Having decisions about health services being driven by local clinicians will bring benefits to local people.

"We are delighted to gain authorisation and look forward to continuing to work with local people to improve our health services and will be innovative in our approach to commissioning."

Priorities over the next year for the CCG include tackling increasing emergency admissions, securing the best possible range of community services, reducing health inequalities across Redditch and Bromsgrove.

Visit www.redditchandbromsgroveccg.nhs.uk for more information.

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