A GROUP made up of GP practices from east Cheshire which will help to shape the future of Knutsford and Holmes Chapel’s health services has officially been recognised by the NHS.

This week the Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) was awarded authorisation to become an officially recognised, stand-alone statutory NHS organisation.

This means that from April 1, the CCG will replace Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) and will be responsible for commissioning (planning, buying and monitoring) the majority of healthcare services in east Cheshire.

The CCG – which will take control of a £200 million budget – had to pass a rigorous process involving national assessors who scrutinised its plans and visited the region to talk to residents and organisations, such as patient groups, hospital and mental health services and Cheshire East Council.

Dr Paul Bowen, chairman of the CCG and a Poynton GP, said: “On behalf of the 23 member practices of this commissioning group, I thank the many doctors, nurses, patients, carers and newly- appointed staff who have worked hard to build the CCG to this point.

“We are looking forward to working with our communities, and with the doctors, nurses and managers of our local NHS, to build a sustainable and high quality health service for all.

“We are committed to the principles and values as set out in the NHS constitution, and will continue to ensure that the people of east Cheshire receive high-quality healthcare.”

Jerry Hawker, chief officer of the CCG, said: “We are proud of the progress we have made so far and to have passed this important milestone.

“However, we recognise that this is just the first step on the development of this new NHS organisation, and our true success will be measured in improving our population’s health, wellbeing and their experience of healthcare in east Cheshire.”

Eastern Cheshire CCG is a membership federation of the 23 GP practices which are in Alderley Edge, Bollington, Chelford, Congleton, Disley, Handforth, Holmes Chapel, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Poynton and Wilmslow.

The CCG has an elected governing body of local GPs, clinicians, senior NHS managers and public representatives, and will also work closely with the East Cheshire NHS Trust – operators of Knutsford’s Community Hospital.