By Dr Jonathan Wells
THIS is my final column as chair and Clinical Lead of NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG, so I thought I’d have a brief look back at my time in post.
Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) took over the role of contracting local services in April 2013; the idea was to ensure that health services were commissioned by clinically-led organisations and this is a system I firmly believe is the best way forward for health services for the local population.
CCGs are still highly relevant as Redditch and Bromsgrove is very different from Wyre Forest and South Worcestershire and it’s vital that these differences continue to be respected. Having said this there are plenty of occasions when it makes sense for the three Worcestershire CCGs to work.
There have been many examples of local GPs working with colleagues to improve the local healthcare system, and some significant progress has been made on this. Among many others, the introduction of our Virtual Ward is a great example of a locally produced and implemented initiative.
There have been challenges in the local health economy and some of these have led to a few sleepless nights. There remains great pressure on health services within Worcestershire and it’s important we continue to look for better ways of working and new models of care to make sure that health and wellbeing and patient services continue to improve for people locally.
It’s always been my mission to get the best possible care for the people of Redditch and Bromsgrove, and I will, of course, be keeping a very close eye on how things develop. Dr Richard Davies is stepping into the role of interim chair of the CCG, and I’d like to wish him all the best.
Although at times I’ve been in an uncomfortable position, especially with the acute hospitals review, I have greatly enjoyed the role of chair/clinical lead of our CCG.
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