THE Big Ask is a large-scale survey where local people can give their views on the NHS in Dorset and is now available for you to complete.

The survey runs until Sept-ember, so each week in the Daily Echo we will be featuring local health topics. This week, it’s the role of doctors and the newly-created Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Poole GP and member of NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Dr Chris McCall, pictured above, explains how national changes in April affect the planning and delivery of local health services: “The recent changes to the NHS mean that GPs are at the heart of decision making. We are now able to have more of a say in how and where money is spent, as we see patients day in day out, we are able to influence spending decisions based on what we are hearing, allowing us to champion the needs of our local communities. “We’re respon-sible for certain services including planned hospital care, urgent and emergency services, mental health and community health services. Those which fall outside of our remit are the responsibility of other organisations such as NHS England or the local authorities, who now look after public health.

“We work closely with all our partners and providers to make sure they deliver quality services. We’re split into 13 local areas, which are made up of GP member practices enabling each area to have a voice via their locality chair.

“In addition we have six teams who work within Clinical Commissioning Programmes (CCPs) and focus on specific areas of work, for example cancer care, mental health or family health.

“Our budget is around £900m. Although this may seem a lot, we need to make sure we spend it wisely.

“Our providers have to deliver services, which meet local needs and are sustainable – something we monitor constantly.

“To help us make sure services do meet local health care demands we need the involvement of local people, be it as part of the local health network, a Patient Participation Group or by involvement in initiatives such as this survey – The Big Ask.

“By taking part you can help bring a unique insight on which services are planned and purchased.”

To have your say please visit bourne mouthecho.co.uk/health or Bournemouth.ac.uk/the big ask For further information on NHS Dorset CCG visit dorsetccg.nhs.uk