CHANGES to healthcare touted as the biggest – and most controversial – in the 65-year history of the NHS are now in place.
As of Monday, GP-led Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) took over the purse strings and will now decide how to provide the services you get at your clinic, hospital, or within the community.
The Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group is responsible for 285,000 people in an area that covers Ashtead, Bookham, Epsom, Ewell, Banstead, Dorking, Esher, Cobham, Thames Ditton and surrounding villages.
It incorporates 33 GP practices and has a budget of £314million.
It is split into four "localities" which will come up with their own commissioning plans – Dorking (5 GP practices and 40,000 people), East Elmbridge (8 GP practices and 57,000 people), Medlinc (10 GP practices and 91,000 people) and Mid Surrey (10 GP practices and 101,000 people).
Dr Claire Fuller, who trained at Epsom Hospital and is a GP at Banstead's Longcroft Clinic, has been chosen as clinical chairwoman of the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
