Kington town council will work with CCG to have say on future healthcare

In an innovative new way of working, a commission will be set up to include five town councillors, representatives from parish councils in the area and the local ward councillor.

They will be allowed to vote on ideas put forward for services such as out of hours GP provision, while working with non-voting representatives from Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The CCG has set up the commission as they want to redesign community healthcare services in Kington and the surrounding locality but also want the local community to be very much a part of this.

Non-voting subject matter experts will be co-opted onto the panel as required, such as: GPs, nurses and therapists.

The commission will look at whether services need to change, the engagement process and whether subsequent proposals from the CCG reflect the findings of the engagement process.

Other services which will be looked at are 'in hours' primary care, seven day primary care, district nursing and associated therapy, and intermediate care inpatient services.

CCG accountable office, Simon Hairsnape, said: "This is trying something a little bit different. We have got some issues in Kington. It is a rural, isolated community. We have got to find a solution for Kington and the surrounding area."

He said if the commission works it is something which could take place throughout the county.