A GP from a surgery based in Overton and Oakley has been appointed in a top medical role for Hampshire.

Doctor Nicola Decker has become the clinical chair for North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group, taking over the from Dr Sam Hullah, who has returned to practice full-time as a GP.

Dr Decker will continue to work part-time as a GP at the Oakley and Overton Partnership.

She qualified at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa in 1990 and completed her post-graduate GP training in England in 1995.

She joined the Oakley and Overton Partnership in March 2002 after moving to Hampshire from Bury St Edmunds and became a partner in 2006.

She was appointed as a fellow of NICE in 2013 and this role has facilitated the Dementia Friendly Practice initiative which she launched with Overton and Oakley surgeries in April 2014.

This work has now been cascaded by the Wessex Academic Health Science Network.

Dr Decker said: “I am very excited about this opportunity to lead our CCG, to improve outcomes for our patients and to deliver the best value for money.

"Over the past nine years I have developed my leadership skills through experience gained as my practice’s management partner and commissioning lead as well as in my role as dementia lead for our CCG.

“I know the value of working with others to improve care pathways for our patients.

"My experience in dementia has given me the opportunity of working with primary care colleagues and partners in secondary, community and social care as well as the voluntary sector and has reminded me that patients rely on us working together.

“I have a clear vision of a truly integrated care pathway for all our patients.

"I recognise that the only way that this vision can be fulfilled is by engaging meaningfully with every GP in our CCG and with all involved in our patients’ care, including patients themselves.

“Encouragingly I have already been assured of support by many of my colleagues as I firmly believe that any future success can only be delivered by a team effort. I am committed to working within a budget which must deliver value for money and in an organisation with clear values, strong governance and structure with an ethos of transparency.”

Dr Matt Nisbet, chair of the CCG membership senate said: “Dr Nicola Decker is an experienced and respected local GP.

"The CCG needs a strong clinical leader to continue its work to improve the health services provided to the 218,000 patients living in North Hampshire.

"I am sure Nicola will be an excellent leader and clinical advocate.

"I know she enjoys widespread support and the GPs and patients of North Hampshire are extremely fortunate that she has agreed to take up this position.”

Graham Wallis, the accountable officer for North Hampshire CCG, added: “To secure the appointment of someone with Dr Decker’s skills and commitment is a real benefit to both the CCG and the North Hampshire health care system. I am looking forward to working alongside Nicola in a true partnership bringing the best out of the CCG’s clinical and managerial skills as we lead North Hampshire CCG out of recovery.”