NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove Clinical Commissioning Group (RBCCG), the new organisation made up of local GPs, will be responsible for planning and arranging around £180 million worth of services when it takes over the responsibilities from Worcestershire Primary Care Trust in April 2013.

An event to introduce the new local NHS organisation is taking place on Wednesday, December 12, 6.30-8pm at The Council Chamber at Redditch Town Hall and refreshments will be provided.

Dr Jonathan Wells, local GP and chair/clinical lead for NHS RBCCG, said: “It is an exciting time in healthcare, and the government reforms open up new opportunities to improve the quality of patient services.

“RBCCG has been working hard as a membership organisation of the 22 GP practices across Redditch and Bromsgrove, to ensure we are ready to the do job of serving our local population as best we can from April 2013.

“To do the job well, we need to involve local people in important decisions about their healthcare, which is why we are encouraging residents to come along to the public launch and meet us.

He added: “We hope the event will help people to understand who we are and what our aims and priorities are for the future. It is also an opportunity for local people to understand some of the challenges we face as a Clinical Commissioning Group. 

Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have been established as part of the Government’s NHS reforms to shift decision-making as close as possible to patients.

Groups of GPs will, from April 2013, be responsible for designing local health services in England by commissioning health and care services. They will be responsible for arranging emergency and urgent care services and for commissioning services for any unregistered patients who live in their area.

Anyone who wishes to attend needs to confirm their place by e-mailing Bethan Flynn, executive administrator, at bethan.flynn@worcestershire.nhs.uk or calling 01527 488746.