OXFORDSHIRE GPs are leading the way in a radical shake-up of the NHS by becoming one of the first in England to buy healthcare for patients.

At the moment when people need treatment, health authorities and primary care trusts such as NHS Oxfordshire pick up the bill.

But the Government announced in July that by 2013 doctors across the country would instead be expected to take direct control of the £1bn NHS budget.

Now GPs in Oxfordshire are among 52 groups of doctors across the country who have been enlisted by the Government to pilot the programme ahead of the national roll-out.

It means they are already starting to take control of how the £800m county health budget is spent on Oxfordshire’s 672,000 residents.

Oxfordshire doctors were keen to pilot the programme, with 79 of 83 GP practices getting on board.

An Oxfordshire GP Consortium Board, consisting of GPs and members of the Primary Care Trusts (PCT) executive team has now been set up.

Dr John Galuszka, chairman of the new commissioning group said there was a real commitment from GPs in Oxfordshire.

He said: “The approach we are taking will be developmental.

“We will be working hand in hand with the PCT over the next two years. This will enable us, when the time comes, to successfully take the reins, move on with GP commissioning and continue to improve services for our patients.

“It is also positive news that we have been approved for the pathfinder programme.”

The new programme, which signals the beginning of the phasing out of NHS Oxfordshire, has already kickstarted the setting up of two new county services commissioned by GPs.

A community endoscopy service, for tests on patients’ digestive systems, could be opened at the new Witney Diagnostic Centre as soon as 2012. And new community ultrasound services in Wantage, Banbury, and Bicester could be opened in February.

Sonia Mills, the chief executive of NHS Oxfordshire, said the trust would be supporting the changeover.

But she warned of a ‘challenging time ahead’ as the trust was phased out.

Ms Mills said: “We want to ensure that the winding down of the PCT is managed carefully to ensure continuity and enough support given to the new GP consortium.

“We are facing a challenging time ahead in order to meet the demand for services within tightening budgets.

“Working with GPs, we will meet this challenge to maintain and improve the quality of care for patients locally.”