The medical group responsible for buying healthcare for the people of Norwich has been told it must make savings of £19m in the next three years.

But Norwich Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is predicted to end this financial year with a balanced budget – at a time when many other NHS bodies are struggling to avoid deficits.

Robert Kirton, interim chief finance officer of the CCG, said the group has managed its finances 'prudently' since the CCG was set up in 2013, but warned the next three years would be financially challenging.

The CCG, made up of the city's GP practices, buys healthcare for more than 200,000 people in the Norwich area.

Presenting his report at a meeting of the CCG's governing body, Mr Kirton said the CCG is on course to end the financial year with a £3.3m surplus.

The group is one of several financially well-performing CCGs across the country that has been requested to achieve a surplus by NHS England.

But, based on current demand, the cost of emergency activity and other pressures could exceed the money available to the group in the years ahead, Mr Kirton said.

This means the CCG must plan savings worth £19m by March 2019, which is equal to 3pc of the CCG's annual budget.

'It will be financially challenging but it gives the CCG the opportunity to commission services in more appropriate clinical settings,' Mr Kirton said.

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