PEOPLE can have their say on the future of healthcare services in the county.

NHS leaders are seeking views on a wide range of potential changes to local services as they look to do things differently to address future funding gaps.

The three Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups (NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove, NHS South Worcestershire and NHS Wyre Forest CCGs) are responsible for buying healthcare services for Worcestershire residents and, with an increasing demand for services, are unable to continue buying services in the same way as previous years.

Dr Simon Rumley, for NHS Wyre Forest CCG, said: “At some point in the future it’s simply not going to be possible to continue buying all the services that we currently do, so we need to find ways of reducing what we spend but also make sure that we’re protecting essential services.”

The CCGs are working alongside Worcestershire County Council to understand what local residents think about some proposals that might be considered in the future.

Some of the suggestions include things like restricting access to certain treatments and prescriptions or introducing new ways of receiving the help and advice people need.

Dr Carl Ellson, for NHS South Worcestershire CCG, added: “We’re really keen that as many people across the county take part in this survey. It’s important that we hear from the people using these services so that we can make informed decisions that meet the needs of local patients.”

Residents are able to complete the questionnaire online via the ‘Get Involved’ section on each of the CCG websites.

They will also be able to pick up hard copies of the survey from their local GP surgery over the coming weeks.

The three CCGs in Worcestershire are responsible for buying (commissioning) most healthcare services for Worcestershire patients.

They have a combined budget of more than £700 million to buy hospital services, mental health services, learning disability services, community services GP services and medicines.

In 2016/17, if the CCGs continue to buy services in the same way as last year then they will need to spend £25 million more than their combined budgets.