A GRANT has been secured to help the new body that will lead health care in Ludlow and south Shropshire to understand needs in the area.

Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is one of only 12 areas across England that has been granted funding from the NHS National Commissioning Board, to develop innovative approaches to engaging with the voluntary sector.

The £50,000 will be used to help build partnerships between the Clinical Commissioning Group and local charities, community groups and social enterprises.

This funding will help build on the work already taking place, to ensure that the NHS and voluntary sector are working together to listen to patients and improve their experience of local health services.

Locally the Clinical Commissioning Group and the Voluntary Community Sector Assembly (VCSA) will be working together to consider how this funding can best support joint working.

The grant has been welcomed by Dr Caron Morton, a former Ludlow GP and now head of the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

“This is excellent news and I am pleased that we have been recognised by the National Commissioning Board for our innovative approaches to engaging with the voluntary and community sector,” she said.

“I welcome the ongoing opportunity to build upon this fundamental area of work.

“As local clinicians we know the importance of the voluntary and community sector in supporting patients.

“By working closely with them we can ensure that we are taking into account the needs of local patients, in particular those with complex needs, in our health service decisions.”