Local people to have say on new health centre and GP practices

Areas of the Rochdale Borough are set to get new GP practices, as well as a health centre in Middleton, as part of a Borough-wide strategy to improve healthcare in the most deprived areas.

Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust (HMRPCT) is commissioning new GP practices in the Smallbridge & Wardleworth and Central Rochdale areas, as well as another in Heywood and a new GP-led health centre in the Middleton area.

The centre and practices will have longer opening hours and provide different services according to the priority health needs of each area. As part of the process, the PCT will conducting a programme of consultation with the residents of each area, allowing them to feedback on what services should be provided. A number of activities will take place to ensure as many people as possible can get involved, including street teams and local events.

This new programme is a part of the national Darzi Next Stage Review of the NHS, which recommended the roll out of 100 new GP practices across the country, and a new health centre in every PCT. Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT is one of 38 PCTs to receive additional funding to develop these services, as the Borough has one of the lowest GP to patient ratios in the UK.

Trevor Purt, Chief Executive for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust, said: “We are serious about involving the public in local health matters and want to talk and listen to those from the four chosen locations about the need for changes, potential plans and discuss ideas or concerns they may have.

“The location of each practice and health centre has been carefully selected based on the health needs of the Borough. Middleton currently does not have a walk in facility and has one of the highest A&E attendances in the Borough, making it a prime location for a health centre. Heywood, Smallbridge & Wardleworth and Central Rochdale & Falinge are areas of greatest need and new GP practices will make a huge difference to the people living there.”

The exact location of each practice and the health centre is not yet known and the PCT is currently looking at a range of options in the selected areas.

“We realise that the Borough of Rochdale has significant health needs and as the local Primary Care Trust, we are investing considerably to improve healthcare for local people. In addition to this project, we are also opening new LIFT health centres, piloting extended GP hours services in a number of our existing practices and developing healthy lifestyles strategies that meet the diverse and complex needs of our communities.”