The future of health services in Merton was set out by NHS bosses at a packed meeting last week.

NHS Merton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the organisation responsible for planning and buying local health services, hosted its first ever public annual general meeting in Mitcham's Vestry Hall.

Chaired by Dr Howard Freeman MBE, head of Merton CCG, it was a chance for the public to hear about its work and question the CCG's governing body.

Since taking over Merton's £207m annual health budget in April 2013, the health body has divided the borough's health needs between east Merton, west Merton and Raynes Park.

Health bosses highlighted the achievement of building the Nelson Health Care Centre in Kingston Road, Wimbledon Chase, which is due to open on April 1, 2015.

Two GP practices will move into the Nelson Hospital site - Cannon Hill Lane Medical Practice and the Church Lane Practice.

Services offered at the health centre will include outpatient appointments, minor surgery, X-ray, ultrasound and blood tests, physiotherapy and pharmacy services and mental health services.

Facing criticism of the health body's decision to locate the service in the west of the borough where life expectancy is significantly greater, Dr Freeman explained the decision was inherited from the borough's old health body, the Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust.

Plans to redress the balance with a health centre in Mitcham are under way with a business plan for this expected to be published by October 2015.

Residents are invited to register to attend a consultation in The Hub, Morden, on Thursday, where they can assess potential sites for the health centre. The Birchers Close Clinic and Wilson Health Centre, Mitcham, are both potential sites.

Health bosses emphasised plans to reduce pressure on hospitals by offering medical support for people at home. Last October, the CCG launched its Community Prevention of Admission Team, a group of nurses and threapists particularly working with older people to make patient assessments before admitting them to hospital.

Sandra Ash, of Keep Our St Helier Hospital campaign group, questioned whether the CCG was taking away money from crucial hospital services, putting them at risk from closure.

But Dr Freeman said: "We have put more money into St Helier for 2014-15 than we have for 2013-14. We have not taken any money out of St Helier."

Eleanor Brown, Merton CCG chief officer, added: "What I would say is that we really do need to think about what the best models of care are for the future and they are not always the traditional ones."

Concerns about mental health provisions were raised by resident Carol Warren, who said she was "appalled" when a friend with severe depression found nowhere to turn to except his GP, who offered him pills.

Eleanor Brown said: "You are not the first person to tell me that when someone is in crisis we need a dedicated helpline and it's something very much on our list."

Other priorities highlighted for the following year include improving physiotherapy services, adding eight more rehabilitation and crisis beds in the community, using apps to book appointments and increasing the number of nurses who can help people with dementia.

Residents will have the chance to express their views on Merton NHS health services at an 'engagement event' next month. Engage Merton will host a marketplace, table discussions and presentations at Tooting and Mitcham Football Club, Morden, on Thursday, October 16.

For more information or to register your place at the formal event, contact Leeca Perrett leeca.perrett@mertonccg.nhs.uk, 0208 251 0605.