Health innovation praised

Healthcare in Oldham is synonymous with innovation and pushing boundaries is the message from last night’s NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group annual meeting.

The CCG board has described highlights and challenges of a 12 months it which it managed to balance its books and spent almost £410 million.

Over the year the CCG was recognised as the National NHS Board/Governing Body of the Year by the NHS Leadership Academy, beating over 400 other organisations across the country.

Other positive moments included the continued success of the innovative Dragons’ Den-style contest for the funding of new, small-scale health projects

Dr Ian Wilkinson, chief clinical officer of Oldham CCG, said: “Oldham is synonymous with innovation. Being able to say that is a testament to what we have been trying to do in Oldham.

“Now we are at a point where we are viewed as the CCG for innovation and doing things differently — a reputation that we have earned and that is justified.”

He added that the CCG had faced challenges over the past year and was anticipating more this year, but said the group would continue to deliver innovative plans and meet its three main aims: improving the health of Oldhamers, improving healthcare and patient experience, and delivering value for money.



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