Anyone with an interest in their local NHS has been invited to come along to the first public meeting of the new organisation responsible for buying and planning healthcare on the east coast.
The governing body of HealthEast, the clinical commissioning group (CCG) for Great Yarmouth and Waveney, will meet for the first time on Thursday 28 March 2013. Patients, carers and the public are welcome to attend and find out more about how the new organisation will take over from NHS Norfolk and Waveney from 1 April.
HealthEast is made up of GPs and other local clinicians, and was formed 18 months ago to make commissioning decisions on behalf of local patients. It was one of the first group of CCGs to gain the official authorisation from the NHS Commissioning Board in December 2012, and one of only the quarter of CCGs which have had no conditions on how they operate imposed by the Department of Health.
Andy Evans, HealthEast Chief Executive, said: “Over the past 18 months, we have been working closely with clinicians and our patients to ensure our future plans will meet the needs of people living in Great Yarmouth and Waveney.
“Our immediate priority has been ensuring the transfer of responsibilities from the primary care trust runs smoothly so that our patients see no change in the service they receive, and can continue to access safe, effective care.
“Our intention now is to continue working with clinicians, patients and the public so that everyone can be involved in developing services for the future and further improving healthcare on the east coast.”
During Thursday’s meeting, the governing body will discuss strategic plans for the future and its new statutory duties and will also look at finance. Anyone who attends will also be given the chance to ask questions about items on the agenda.
The meeting takes place at HealthEast’s headquarters at Beccles House, Common Lane North, Beccles, starting at 1pm. Agenda papers will be available at www.gywpct.nhs.uk a few days before the meeting.
Notes:
HealthEast’s governing body is made up of 19 members – six GPs (including the chair) and two practice managers, elected by the member practices, three lay directors who provide a public/patient perspective, seven officer members and one hospital doctor. In addition, the Chair of the CCG’s Patient Participation Forum sits on the Governing body (without voting right).
