A new model for healthcare in north east London will give GPs more powers over how and where money needs to be spent to best benefit patients.
Under the new scheme clinicians could gain control of an annual budget of more than £400 million - with the NHS in Redbridge leading the way as the first primary care trust in the country to carry out a phased handover of its commissioning functions.
The new model has meant that  five polysystems will now protect the interests of the borough''s 51 practices as the three practice-based commissioning clusters have been disbanded.
The GP-led network of care professionals will have designated budgets and eventually be responsible for commissioning services and meeting statutory health targets set by NHS Redbridge and the Department of Health.
Each polysystem covers a distinct geographical area of the borough and is managed by a polyboard made up of local GPs. The polysystems are each designed around a ''hub and spoke'' model.
A multi-purpose polyclinic sits at the heart or hub of each polysystem with surrounding GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals forming the spokes to create a seamless level of integrated care.
The polyclinics will offer a wide range of health services under one roof including many traditionally hospital-based services, such as diagnostics and out-patient appointments.
Local GP Narinder Sharma, Clinical Director for Loxford Polysystem, said: "Health needs vary from area to area and being able to focus the appropriate resources on specific areas as well as anticipate future health trends is a great step forward."
Copyright ⌐ Press Association 2009