GPs are now at the heart of decision making about healthcare in Croydon.

The new Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) brings together all 61 GP practices from across the borough into one organisation.

As of Monday (April 1) the group is now fully responsible for planning and buying healthcare services for people and patients in Croydon across non-emergency hospital care, urgent emergency care, mental health and the majority of community health services.

Established as part of the wider reforms of the NHS in the Health and Social Care Act, Croydon CCG is chaired by Dr Anthony Brzezicki.

Dr Brzezicki was unavailable for an interview with the Croydon Guardian but NHS Southwest London released a statement from him in this video on YouTube:

Dr Agnelo Fernades, assistant clinical chairman, said it was a "challenging but exciting time for the NHS and its staff."

He added: "Over time the benefits of having local GPs making the decisions will really start to be felt.

"Croydon GPs know their patients and know what their needs are - we see them every day in our surgeries.

"Local people will have a louder voice in the NHS than ever before and we will be their champions.

"We will also need the help of local people with some of our greatest challenges, like making sure people get the right treatment and avoid unnecessary trips to A&E.

"We have a significant financial challenge and we need to continually improve the quality and reputation of healthcare in Croydon.

"However, we have a unique opportunity as a CCG to take action to make services more locally tailored for patients, dependent upon their specific health needs.

"For example, we are developing geographically-based networks of Croydon GPs who will work together and strongly influence the services the CCG commissions for their patients.

"What stays the same is how closely we work as one NHS, in partnership with other neighbouring CCGs and with our local partners at Croydon Council and our local hospitals.

"We are determined to make sure we deliver the best healthcare for the people that we serve in Croydon."