Launch of the Worthing Practices Commissioning Consortium.
Worthing GPs sign up to have a say on future health services
Friday 19th December, 2008
Local doctors and clinicians in Worthing are being given more control over resources and the ability to shape health services in their area. Thirteen practices have signed up to form the Worthing Practices Commissioning Consortium which will have a leading role in developing local services.
The consortium, part of an initiative known as practice based commissioning, puts family doctors, nurses and community clinicians right at the heart of the decision making process to ensure that local needs are met.
John Wilderspin, Chief Executive of West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT), said, “West Sussex PCT is committed to the introduction of practice based commissioning in the county. We have recently set out our vision to bring about lifelong health and wellbeing for all in West Sussex and we face some major challenges in delivering that. We cannot deliver our vision without the help of local clinicians on the ground and that’s where practice based commissioning, like the Worthing Practices Commissioning Consortium comes in.
“Local family doctors and clinicians are best placed to know about the health needs of their local community. By putting more power in the hands of local doctors and other health professionals we can get to the root of some serious health problems within the county and really start to make a difference in health care and health outcomes.”
Dr Bruce Allan, Acting Lead of Worthing Practices Commissioning Group, said, “This is a very exciting opportunity for patients and general practice to shape health services and improve wellbeing in Worthing. It puts local doctors and other health professionals in the driving seat, with real control, real power and a real say over how resources are used to improve health.”
The first official meeting of the Worthing Practices Commissioning Group takes place on Tuesday 6th January 2009.
