PATIENTS and doctors in south Worcestershire are being given a greater say in how the area’s GP services are run.

NHS South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is one of the first in the country to handed responsibility for planning and arranging GP services.

GP services were previously commissioned by NHS England, but the new arrangement will mean the CCG is able to take a more ‘joined-up’ approach to health services in the area.

The CCG’s clinical lead Dr Carl Ellson, himself a GP in Droitwich, said he was “delighted” by the announcement.

“This new approach will now enable us to better meet the challenges of an ageing population with complex health care needs by putting in place commissioning arrangements that will deliver a high level of joined up care both in and out of hospital,” he said.

“Work to shape the new local commissioning arrangement has already begun.

“We’ve been working with local GPs and patient groups to identify what excellent primary care looks like and to agree priorities for how services can be improved.”

The CCG has set up a committee involving lay members and only one GP to avoid conflicts of interest, which will be monitored by NHS England.