The 2021/22 annual accounts for NHS Barnsley CCG are now available to read. The report highlights another challenging year as we continued living through the pandemic. There was however hope as we saw the impact of the COVID-19 vaccination programme as it continued to roll out successfully.

Barnsley CCG Accountable Officer Chris Edwards: "This has been our second year operating in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. It was another year of great sadness but also one of hope. We saw the introduction of new treatments for those with severe coronavirus infections to relieve symptoms and reduce the effects of the virus.

"We also welcomed the introduction of the biggest vaccine programme we have ever seen, which has gone extremely well in Barnsley. This went on to make a huge impact by reducing the number of people dying or needing hospital care because of the virus. We have continued to see an incredible response, both personally and collectively, from our own teams and those teams working in the services we commission. They worked seamlessly as one focusing on those most vulnerable - providing safe care under extreme pressure. Against the backdrop of the pandemic, we have continued to pull out all the stops to treat thousands of people with other conditions and restore services and tackle the backlog.

"We have invested in a new diagnostic centre which will be based in the new shopping centre in Barnsley town centre, providing more appointments for things like screening and blood tests and in a convenient location. We know there is still much to do.

"The new Barnsley mental health and wellbeing strategy highlights the work we’ll be doing as a health and care community across the borough this year. We will also be moving into a new way of working as part of the proposals to introduce Integrated Care Boards (ICB). This will see the end of clinical commissioning groups in their current format, transferring the statutory responsibilities to the ICB, which for us will cover South Yorkshire.

"Our work will continue, building on the strong foundations of our partnerships in Barnsley. On behalf of our membership council, governing body and our chair, Dr Nick Balac, I want to record our thanks to our dedicated staff in the CCG and in our member GP practices and to those in our partner organisations for the continued overwhelming effort and dedication they have shown to the people of Barnsley this year. Our thanks also go to colleagues who have been part of the CCG family over previous years, all contributing to our commitment to local people and communities."

The report and accounts are accompanied by a presentation from Chris Edwards Accountable Officer, Dr Nick Balac Chair and Roxanna Naylor Chief Finance Officer.