HEALTH chiefs are inviting community groups in Ryedale to play the Commissioning Maze and manage the local NHS budget.

The game is used to generate discussion about spending decisions made by the Scarborough and Ryedale CCG and is an opportunity for people to gain a greater understanding of the commissioning process.

Organisations who take part will be allocated a real-life NHS budget and as they play they will be faced with a number of scenarios.

There will be a member of staff from the CCG on each table who will help teams make decisions and take notes; this feedback will be used to influence the CCG’s future commissioning priorities.

Derwent GP and NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Governing Body member, Dr Chris Ives, said: “The CCG is always looking for ways to engage with the community; the Commissioning Maze is a good way to help people understand the limited budget we have and the difficult spending decisions we sometimes have to take.

“When we’ve played the game with community groups in the past, it’s generated fantastic discussions as they’ve grappled with different spending priorities and put forward their approach to a range of realistic NHS spending scenarios.

"For me, the feedback we gather from these events is a key part of how we make decisions going forward and helps us develop as a commissioner of NHS services.”

It will take place at Malton and Norton Rugby Club on October 24, from 6pm to 8pm, with a free pie and pea supper. To register your interest by Friday, October 12, email alex.flowers@nhs.net