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Better control of costs for people in Northamptonshire needing continuing care helped a clinical commissioning group (CCG) avoid a £39.9m overspend, according to its first annual report.

The Nene CCG, in special measures since November 2013, also achieved a surplus of £430,000 while making other cuts.

But its £661.94m budget must be reduced again by £23m next year.

Integrated health and social care for 636,000 people also had to be set up, chief executive Ben Gowland reported.

Heart and respiratory diseases, cancer, mental and sexual health, alcohol abuse, obesity and smoking have been identified as priorities for spending, by the CCG which was set up in April 2013.