THE organisation that controls health services in Northwich, including GP surgeries, has been rated as inadequate.

Vale Royal Clinical Commissioning Group received the overall rating by NHS England in the 2016/17 annual assurance report.

They recieved seperate in clinical priority areas cancer, mental health and dementia services. These were all rated good.

It has now been placed on special measures and will take formal legal direction from NHS England to improve its overall position.

South Cheshire ranked outstanding for cancer services, good for mental health and requires improvement for dementia.

Dr Jonathan Griffiths, GP chair for Vale Royal CCG, said: “The ratings are an opportunity for the CCG to have clear guidance on areas that need improvement.

“CCGs throughout England are operating within a challenging financial environment.

“The CCG had a clear remit over the past 12 months to get a grip on our finances and work to balance the books.

“Despite the work that we have done and the tough decisions we have had to make we still finished our year end with a deficit of £1.7 million.

“We are working together with providers and commissioners to develop a way of working to collectively live within our means and the budget allocated to us.

“The local system needs to jointly take account and be accountable for healthcare in Cheshire.

“We will be working alongside our people to involve and engage them in the plans that we develop, ensuring that we continue to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.”

The ratings, known as Improvement Assessment Framework, provide a benchmark for CCGs so they can compare themselves to others and assess where they need to focus.

It also gives regulators and partners an indication of where more support is needed.

For more information visit southcheshireccg.nhs.uk.