Dudley PCT £5.9m in the black as it prepares to be abolished (From Dudley News)

Dudley PCT £5.9m in the black as it prepares to be abolished

8:30am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in Local

DUDLEY health bosses have reported a multi-million pound surplus as they prepare to hand spending control over to GPs.

The borough's Primary Care Trust (PCT) revealed it is in the black to the tune of £5.9m ahead of its abolition in April, when a new doctor-run Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will take over spending on healthcare in Dudley.

At the PCT's final AGM last week, health chiefs were told how cutting management costs and better drug prescribing had contributed to millions of pounds in savings.

The meeting was also warned the NHS faces huge future financial challenges coping with increasing numbers of older people suffering from long-term illness and multiple health problems.

Meanwhile the new Dudley CCG has announced a series of appointments to key jobs within the organisation, which will have 52 member GP practices and an anticipated budget of £406m for the 312,000 residents or Dudley borough.

Paul Maubach has been appointed as accountable officer responsible for ensuring the group fulfils its legal responsibilities.

Mr Maubach, who will be moving from his current role as director of commissioning development for West Mercia PCT Cluster, said: "I am delighted to have been appointed to the role of accountable officer and I’m looking forward to working closely with my GP colleagues across Dudley to further improve healthcare services for our local population.”

The CCG's acting chief financial officer, Matt Hartland, has been confirmed in the role while Steve Wellings and Julie Jasper have been appointed as lay members of the board. Dr Mary Heber has also been appointed as secondary care doctor on the board.