THE group that commissions healthcare for Gloucestershire is to be given greater responsibilities over their own purchases.

NHS England has confirmed that NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group has been given approval to take on greater commissioning responsibility from the start of April.

The CCG is one of 64 across the country to be given the go-ahead to take on delegated commissioning of primary care medical services.

The CCG’s proposals were submitted to NHS England in January and the choice of full delegated commissioning was supported by member GP practices in a vote overseen by the Local Medical Committee.

Accountable officer Mary Hutton said: “This provides the CCG with a great opportunity to better meet local needs by commissioning more joined up services for patients from GP care, to care at home, right the way through to hospital services.

“GPs and their teams are working incredibly hard for patients in Gloucestershire and are not only committed to providing high quality services within their surgeries, but also improving the patient’s journey through care.”

NHS England will continue to monitor CCG commissioning and support the transition over the coming months.

CCG Governing Body members will meet on 26 February and will be asked to ratify the agreement.