THE body that has a vital role in the running of health services in Ludlow and south Shropshire is inviting people to its annual meeting.

People in Shropshire interested in how the local NHS is run can meet the organisation responsible for buying local healthcare services at a public meeting in September..

The Annual General Meeting of Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will take place on Wednesday, September 9 2015 in at the Education and Conference Centre of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on Mytton Oak Road from 12.30pm, with tea and coffee served from 12.15pm.

Members of the public who attend will see a presentation from the CCG's Accountable Officer Dr Caron Morton and a former Ludlow GP on the achievements and challenges of the past year and a look forward into the CCG's work in the future.

"People are proud of the NHS and that has never been clearer than during the challenges that we have faced locally and nationally over the previous years,” said Dr Morton.

"We are lucky in Shropshire that we have an engaged and informed public and the difference that makes to us in our work can't be understated," she said.

"The AGM is a great opportunity for local people to come and meet with myself and the other members of the CCG's Governing Body, to hear about the work we're doing and the things we are planning in the future and to have their say on the future of local healthcare services.

"Clinical Commissioning Groups were designed to be led by local GPs because of the knowledge we have about our local population's needs and its only by engaging with those people regularly and hearing their views that we will be able to design healthcare services that keep people in Shropshire happy, healthy and well, now and into the future."

In addition to presentations from the CCG's chair and chief financial officer, there will be time on the agenda for members of the public to direct questions to members of the CCG's board during the meeting.

People who want to attend the meeting should reserve a place by emailing tracy.eggby-jones@shropshireccg.nhs.uk or calling 01743 277586.