A NEW Accountable Officer has been appointed for NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across Durham and Tees Valley.

Dr Neil O’Brien has been chosen to head a joint leadership and management team to oversee NHS North Durham CCG, NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG, NHS South Tees CCG, NHS Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees CCG and NHS Darlington CCG.

The five CCGs have been moving towards working more collaboratively since early 2018, with the aim of combining skills and resources to improve delivery.

Dr O’Brien, who is currently Chief Clinical Officer at North Durham CCG, has been confirmed in the role by NHS England.

The GP, who worked in Chester-le-Street for 16 years, said: “I am delighted to have been chosen for this exciting role and I am really looking forward, with the staff across the CCGs, to continue the excellent work taking place with partners across our local health and care systems.

“I am passionate about the NHS in our area and I am fully committed to ensuring our collaborative working is the best it can be.

“The CCGs will very much remain as separate organisations but by working together, we will be able to share expertise and deliver the best outcome for patients locally and regionally across Durham and Tees Valley, which is of course the ultimate goal.”