GPs poised to take on responsibility

A GP-led organisation will take charge of commissioning the majority of health services in our district in a matter of weeks.

Governing members of North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) met in public for the first time on Wednesday as part of their preparations.

TAKING CHARGE North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group chief officer designate Chris Dowse with chairman Dr David Kelly and Natasha Brown. (D533E309)

placeholder image — TAKING CHARGE North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group chief officer designate Chris Dowse with chairman Dr David Kelly and Natasha Brown. (D533E309)

Welcoming around 30 members of the public to Cleckheaton town hall, chairman Dr David Kelly said: “We want to ensure that we have as much involvement with you as possible – not only through our meetings, but through other processes we have in place.”

The meeting heard that the CCG was on track to become a statutory body by April 1 when it takes over from NHS Kirklees.

Chief designate officer Chris Dowse said: “We’re still recruiting to our organisation and we expect the first phase to be complete by the end of March.”

Members agreed to delegate powers to transfer staff, IT systems and contracts from NHS Kirklees to Dr Kelly, Ms Dowse and chief finance officer Steve Brennan.

The meeting is at Dewsbury Town Hall on March 20, 9am.