Since April 1 Wandsworth Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) became responsible for purchasing healthcare for patients.
The group now manages 42 General Practises across the borough, with GPs in charge of buying services instead of Wandsworth Primary Care Trust.
A new committee has been created, made up of a clinical chairman, area representatives, a nurse and Healthwatch.
Dr Nicola Jones (pictured above) is the clinical chairman of Wandsworth CCG, having previously taken the lead for cardiovascular health for Wandsworth PCT.
She has been based in Wandsworth since 1994, with experience as a primary care advisor to the Department of Health for five years.
Wandsworth CCG has been organised into three areas based on the geography of the borough - Battersea, West Wandsworth and the Wandle.
Dr Jones said: "The GPs are grouped into each locality. The needs of people in Tooting might be quite different from those in Putney.
"Even in Wandsworth there are marked differences in health care needs."
The CCG is responsible for buying a range of services, covering hospitals, emergency operations, mental health services and learning disabilities.
Critics have said the new system has a lack of transparency, with fears doctors will hide information from patients if drugs become too expensive to purchase.
But Dr Jones said: "Our primary aim is to improve quality of care for patients, rather than to save money.
"We do have to make tough decisions. We can't buy everything that everybody needs, there are some tough decisions to make.
"But we have prioritisation.We will work with public health to make sure we can prioritise patients with greatest needs.
"We will use this forum to make our decisions and we will take those decisions in a forum where people can input."
There is also criticism the new system will see GPs selecting the private sector to cut costs.
Dr Jones said: "I think there is a great fear in people that privatisation of services means that is cheaper but not as good quality.
"We would not want that to happen in Wandsworth. What we do need to do is to be able to commission services that are the best quality of care."
WANDSWORTH CCG FACTS:
- Launched on April 1 replacing Wandsworth Primary Care Trust (PCT).
- A total of 42 practises in Wandsworth are all members.
- GPs are now responsible for commissioning, buying and maintaining services, which was previously the responsibility of the PCT.
- The organisation works alongside pharmacists, hospitals, the council and other community groups to improve health.
- They also take the responsibility of monitoring services.
WANDSWORTH CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP BOARD:
Dr Nicola Jones, clinical chair
Graham Mackenzie, chief officer
Wandle area clinical leads, Dr Seth Rankin, Dr Mike Lane
West Wandsworth area clinical lead, Dr Peter Ilves
Battersea clinical lead, Dr Rod Ewen
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