Another step has been taken towards GPs in Barnet controlling health services for patients in the borough.

Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group has gained conditional authorisation to plan, monitor and commission health services for people registered with Barnet GPs from April 2013.

The NHS Commissioning Board made the announcement after reviewing the commissioning group’s policies, visiting its staff, interviewing its leaders and assessing its plans to work with stakeholders and patients in the borough.

Local GP and chair of Barnet CCG, Dr Sue Sumners said: “Having decisions about health services being made by local clinicians will bring benefits to local people, improving health outcomes and delivering better health care for Barnet.

“We realise that we can only truly monitor local services if we listen to and understand what local people think and we are committed to obtaining their feedback, particularly whether the services they use are meeting their needs.”

Barnet CCG will hold a series of public event where people can share their views about the work the commissioning group should be doing. The first of event will be held on March 7 at HendonTown Hall from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.