There has been much debate over the past 12 months about changes to health services in Great Yarmouth and Waveney - but Andy Evans, chief executive of the HealthEast clinical commissioning group, which is responsible for healthcare services in the area - believes important steps forward are being taken.

'Over the year, our Great Yarmouth and Waveney health system has been one of the top performers in the East of England,' said Mr Evans. 'But like other public sector organisations, we've experienced a rise in demand for health services at a time when financial pressures have grown. As a result, we have had to work even harder with our local partner organisations to commission health services which are not only better for our patients but are also good value for money.'

To ensure this was possible, as to make assurances for the future the CCG carried out two major public consultations known as 'the shape of the system'.

The first new services agreed as a result have now been introduced, with patients already reaping the benefits – being looked after at home by teams operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Another significant change to healthcare in the area during 2015 was the introduction of the electronic prescription service. This means patients can now collect regular prescriptions directly from the pharmacy of their choice, without the need to visit their surgery first.

'And in Great Yarmouth, we worked with East Norfolk Medical Practice and NHS England to help create the new Lighthouse Medical Centre,' added Mr Evans. 'This brand new facility provides patients with modern, state-of-the-art facilities from which to receive their care, completing a needed strengthening and updating of GP services in the centre of Great Yarmouth.'

In 2016 one of the CCG's major ambitions is to continue developing partnerships with other organisations, working more closely across county and other boundaries and getting different organisations to operate as one, to provide better joined-up services for patients.

'Patients should only need to tell one professional of their problems to get fully coordinated care.'