NORTH Cumbria’s NHS body has been rated ‘good’ in its annual assessment.

NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) decides how national funding is spent locally, commissioning hospital and other health services.

Each year its performance is assessed by NHS England, with this year’s report highlighting several areas where it is in the top 25 per cent of CCGs nationally.

The reports highlighted its work to drive improvements across health and social care

However it also shows areas where improvements are needed, including finances.

Peter Rooney, NHS North Cumbria’s chief operating officer, said: “The CCG has worked hard to maintain our ‘good’ rating.

“This recognises the continued improvement to local services, benefitting patients across the NHS in north Cumbria.

“This includes progress in integrating health and care and some great steps forward working with communities and partner organisations through the Working Together groups.”

The CCG must now ensure it has a constant focus on finance. It must also continue work to transform local services, developing person-centred community models of care and support which lead to positive quality outcomes.