A NEW NHS group has been given the green light to become the new health commissioning group across north Essex.

The North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group will become the official provider of most NHS care in the area from April 2013.

It means the new group will be responsible for spending about £397million on health care per year.

Dr Shane Gordon, clinical chief officer of the new group, said: “All our staff and GP members are totally committed to continuing to improve the services we offer to our patients, while keeping within the improved efficiencies in these difficult times.

“The new group will work most effectively when it works in partnership, where local people and patients are very much involved in getting the best services for everyone in Colchester and Tendring.”

From April, the clinical commissioning group will become the organisation which pays hospital to care for patients.

The decision was made today by NHS Commissioning Board.

Residents and workers can still get involved in the group and take part in its decision making.

To find out how, go to neessexccg.nhs.uk or check in Essex doctors’ surgeries.