WITH a budget of about £320 million, NHS South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for commissioning (buying/arranging) local hospital, community and mental health services for a population of 292,000 patients.

Engaging with our patients is absolutely integral to how we work as a commissioner and we want to ensure that all the services we commission have been developed with patient and stakeholder feedback in mind.

Better Together is a new scheme designed by NHS South Worcestershire CCG for local people to have the opportunity to get involved in health services.

The scheme will enable members who have an active interest in health issues and want to have more influence in the way that services are delivered to put forward their views to us about what health services work for them and make recommendations for the future.

The idea is that it will build on the strong foundations that have been established with local patients and carers to provide opportunities for more patients to be involved at all levels.

Better Together is open to anyone aged over 14 who is registered with one of the 32 GP practices that encompass NHS South Worcestershire CCG.It’s free and easy to join – all you have to do is register by visiting the CCG website at southworcsccg.nhs.uk/getinvolved/better-together. As a member, you have the chance to: Å Stay informed about developments in health which are of particular interest to you.

 Find out about health events, health initiatives and consultations andhow to takepart.

  •  Find out more about your local NHS and how the money is being spent.
  •  Have your say on the development and planning of local services.
  •  Voice your opinions and know that we are listening.
  •  Influence and help shape the health services of the future.

By joining our Better Together scheme, you will be able to help shape the way we do things in the future and work with us as we improve our local health services across south Worcestershire. For more information about any aspect of Better Together, e-mail Better.together@worcestershire.nhs.uk.