New PCT medical director appointed

Dr Nick Dawes

A GP who has practiced in Rochdale for more than 30 years has been appointed Medical Director of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT.

Dr Nick Dawes, who has been the PCT’s Acting Medical Director, was formally appointed from 1 January. Dr Dawes was previously the Chairman of the Professional Executive Committee for the PCT.

Dr Dawes says: “I am really delighted by my appointment. I have been a GP in Rochdale for many years and look forward to working to improve the health of people in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, in this new role.”

Dr Dawes said that some of the developments he was looking forward to included the creation of more community based services, LIFT centres and delivering a locality hospital at Rochdale Infirmary.

“My aim is to make our services more patient-focussed and provide value for money access to quality services fit for the 21st century. I am not for keeping the status quo just because that’s the way we’ve always done things.

“We need to have world-class commissioning and develop community based services to match the needs of people in those communities. The opportunity to be a part of that journey is the reason I am so happy to take on this role.”

Dr Dawes runs his medical practice in central Rochdale with his GP wife Dr Susan Dawes and the couple have six children.

His career achievements include being a founding member of BARDOC out of hours GP co-operative, which now covers over 400,000 patients, and helping to found Rochdale Walk-in Centre. He is a long-standing member of the British Medical Association and is a past Chairman of the Rochdale Division.