Public views will be taken into account by health chiefs tackling a £14.6m shortfall in the care budget in north Norfolk and rural Broadland.

Cuts and reshaping of services are being looked at by the local clinical commissioning group (CCG).

More details are set to be revealed at a meeting of its governing body at Aylsham next Tuesday.

Earlier this year, the CCG wrote to stakeholders to outline its challenging financial position.

It warned of 'tough decisions' ahead as it sought to remain within its spending limit.

The £14.6m deficit for 2015-16 is equivalent to £83 for every person living in north Norfolk.

Officials had been identifying efficiencies and potential cost savings, said a statement from the CCG.

The group represents 19 surgeries and 167,000 people in the north of the county.

Detailed plans were being swiftly drawn up that will enable the CCG to provide 'high quality, integrated and locally-accessible healthcare services within a balanced and sustainable budget,' it added.

A community engagement panel - representing patients' groups, charities and voluntary bodies - will help the group decide which services it should prioritise. It is due to meet again next Thursday.

CCG chairman and Stalham GP Dr Anoop Dhesi said decisions would be 'clinically-led' but the views of people would play a key part in the decision-making process.

He added: 'Our aim is to make the best possible use of the north Norfolk £ – developing localised care models to provide safe and high quality services closer to people's homes and within the community.

'We have made no secret of the fact that we face a huge challenge, but we are confident the approach we're taking will allow us to meet our financial targets while continuing to provide the best possible healthcare for the people of north Norfolk and rural Broadland.

'Our plans will be clinically led, but the work of our community engagement panel – and the opinions of the public – will shape and inform our decision-making in the weeks ahead.'

The CCG's governing body meeting takes place at Aylsham Care Trust Centre in St Michael's Avenue at 1.30pm on Tuesday, March 17.

Members of the public can attend the meeting and ask questions about items on the agenda, either in advance via www.northnorfolkccg.nhs.uk or at the start of meeting.

Replies will be dealt with at the end of the meeting.

North Norfolk CCG can also contacted by email at nnccg.contactus@nhs.net