A GP’s top appointment to a national organisation was this week applauded by the local NHS.

Dr Barbara Rushton, the clinical lead for South Eastern Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which covers Whitehill and Bordon, has been announced as the new co-chair of NHS Clinical Commissioners.

She will take on this new role from October 1, also continuing her current duties as a GP in her Clinical Commissioning Group leadership role.

Dr Rushton, who was elected to the board as the representative for south-east England 14 months ago, will join Dr Graham Jackson from Buckinghamshire, as co-chair.

Maggie MacIsaac, chief executive of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Groups Partnership, welcomed the news. The Partnership comprises Fareham and Gosport, north Hampshire, north-eastern Hampshire and Farnham, south-eastern Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Mrs MacIsaac said: “Barbara’s appointment is a huge feather in the cap for the partnership. We are delighted for Barbara, personally and professionally, and proud of her achievement. She will provide a strong input into the NHS Clinical Commissioners, ensuring a strong clinical voice.”

Dr Rushton said: “I feel honoured to be elected as co-chair and am very excited to be given this opportunity.

“I passionately believe clinicians need to play a key role in shaping the future NHS, and NHS Clinical Commissioners brings them together to have a strong voice.”

NHS Clinical Commissioners is the independent membership organisation representing 90 per cent of the Clinical Commissioning Groups in England. It aims to help Clinical Commissioning Groups to get the best healthcare and health outcomes for their patients, giving them a strong collective influencing voice with the wider NHS, national bodies, Government and the media.