CLINICAL Commissioning Groups (CCGS) in South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset have appointed a new chief officer.

Julia Ross, who is currently chief executive of North West Surrey CCG, will take the lead for the three groups, collectively known as BNSSG, as they continue to develop a single commissioning voice for the region.

CCGs are responsible for hospital and community NHS services across the country and play a major role in achieving good health outcomes for the area they cover.

Ms Ross said: “I am delighted to be joining the BNSSG CCGs at a key point in their development as they move towards a shared commissioning approach for the local area.

“Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire have a vibrant and dynamic health and care system and I look forward to working with local health and care leaders, patients and the public to deliver the high-quality, sustainable services that local people need, both now and in the future.”

At North West Surrey, Julia set up the new CCG, bringing three GP localities together into a single organisation.

She also built a coalition of 11 organisations across the health and local authority sectors and produced a shared plan with the full support of member organisations.

Prior to this, Julia was associate director, commissioner development (East) for NHS South of England on a full-time secondment basis from 2011 to 2012, and was responsible for core elements of commissioning delivery including leadership of the planning round and oversight of service reconfiguration across the region.

Clinical chairman of South Gloucestershire CCG, Dr Jonathan Hayes, said: “The single chief officer role is an important step forward in the plans we announced last year and will help to ensure the continued strong leadership of commissioning within our collective area, while also supporting greater use of our shared resources.”

Dr Martin Jones, clinical chairman of Bristol CCG, said he was excited by Ms Ross' appointment.

He said: “The single Chief Officer role is a key position for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire that will enable us to strengthen our commissioning voice for the people we serve, and to make the changes the NHS Five Year Forward View, demands.”

Lay chairman of North Somerset CCG, Kathy Headdon, said: “Julia will bring experience and skills that will be of great benefit to North Somerset CCG and the wider system in addressing the difficult challenges we face.

"I am sure that North Somerset CCG staff and partners will join me in welcoming Julia.”