In South Worcestershire, small groups of practices came together as early as 2006 to take on new commissioning responsibilities promoted through the government policy of 'practice based commissioning'.

Over time, these groups recognised the need to form into a larger, more robust structure and in January 2008, South Worcestershire Commissioning Cluster (SWCC) was formed, initially with 19 practices.

Today, we are an organisation encompassing 31 practices stretching right across South Worcestershire with a population of 287,154.  We have a budget of £293 million to commission hospital and community services and a management budget of £1,005,000 to run the consortium. The change of term from 'cluster' to 'consortium' on the 1st October 2010, marked our establishment as a formal sub-committee of NHS Worcestershire.  By April 2013, we will be a statutory organisation in our own right.

We are the largest of the three Worcestershire Consortia and one of the largest in the West Midlands.  Our size offers the potential for bargaining power with our providers and management efficiencies as well as the challenge of maintaining the culture of active involvement of all our practices with which we pride ourselves.

Key Facts

• 287,154 - Will inherit responsibility for commissioning health services for a total population of 287,154
• £1.005 million - Management budget for 2011/12
• 31 GP Practices within the Consortium
• £293 million - Total budget for 2011/12
• Largest consortium in Worcestershire

Business Plan 2011/12 (12MB)