I’ve been chair of NHS Wyre Forest Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for two years now. The CCG is responsible for commissioning (buying) healthcare services for the 113,000 residents living in the area. This can be something as simple as a hearing aid assessment or something as complicated as major heart surgery and includes all types of care including mental and physical health.

We’re a successful CCG and one of the reasons for this is that we try, as much as possible, to involve patients and members of the public in any decisions we make about the healthcare of Wyre Forest residents. This is really important as patient experience is often the best way to judge how well services are being provided.

There are lots of ways to be involved, such as attending our Governing Body and Primary Care Commissioning meetings, joining our membership scheme or by becoming a member of your own GP surgery’s Patient Participation Group. Those who are involved find it a rewarding and interesting experience.