A HEALTH provider has been shortlisted for a top national healthcare award.

NHS East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is responsible for planning and buying hospital and community health services in East Lancashire, is up for CCG of the Year at the Health Service Journal (HSJ) awards.

It is among 10 organisations from across the country and the only CCG from Lancashire and the North West to have been shortlisted for the award.

The award recognises CCGs that are starting to build truly integrated care in their areas; and who can evidence that they have an unwavering focus on patients.

Jackie Hanson, chief nurse, and deputy chief officer at the CCG, said: “I am delighted and incredibly proud that East Lancashire CCG has been shortlisted for this award."

Mike Wedgeworth, chairman of Healthwatch Lancashire, said: “It is great news that East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group has been shortlisted for this prestigious award with the Health Service Journal. They are a dynamic and innovating player in our county’s health and care system and we look forward to continuing to share the public’s voice with them in order to keep improving health and social care services for the people of East Lancashire.”

The shortlisted organisations will now face a judging panel made up of senior figures from the health sector before the winners are announced on November 22 this year.