Prognosis: a healthier Oldham for everyone

WITH the new Integrated Care Centre (ICC) only months away, gone are the days when patient choice was restricted to an appointment with a GP and/or a visit to hospital. A range of new health centres and services are set to transform the town’s skyline as well as our health and lifestyle. Reporter BEATRIZ AYALA spoke to Oldham Primary Care Trust about its plans.

OLDHAM has struggled with poor health for a long time.

Headlines and statistics show the borough’s residents fare badly when it comes to the country’s major killers such as heart disease and strokes.

Smoking-related illnesses, alcohol-induced hospital admissions, low GP numbers and crumbling health centres are just some of the challenges health organisations have had to face.

But a revolution in health care is set to transform services, buildings and access to treatment.

The borough is in the middle of a health centre building boom, with modern facilities designed around what Oldhamers want and need.

Since its creation in 2002, Oldham Primary Care Trust (PCT) has set its sights on expanding health and well-being services.

It also aims to:

Offer new, innovative services in primary care and community health.

Make it easier for people to see their GP or health professional outside traditional hours.

Develop premises so they are fit for purpose. 

New premises have already sprung up. Failsworth Primary Care Centre was the first to open in 2004.

The centre was funded through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI). It houses three GP practices as well as a pharmacy, optician and teams such as health visitors and district nurses.

A major step in helping to fund new centres was the introduction of the Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) in 2003.

The public/private partnership, delivered by specially created company Community 1st Oldham, is set to invest £100m across Oldham to modernise community healthcare.

This resulted in the new £2.6m Moorside Medical Centre which opened in February, 2006, housing two GP practices, a dental suite, pharmacy and community health teams.

Next came the £6m Glodwick Primary Care Centre in April, 2007, which replaced the old flat-roofed Glodwick Health Centre. It contains three GP practices, dental surgeries and a pharmacy, serving around 11,000 patients.

But, arguably, the most ambitious project is the borough’s new £20m Integrated Care Centre — due to open next summer.

The 10-storey building, opposite the civic centre, will include all services currently provided at Cannon Street and Marjory Lees health centre, as well as the Walk-In Centre.

It will also offer emergency treatment and diagnostic care among its range of services, meaning patients will not have to go to hospital.

Future LIFT projects already in the pipeline include Chadderton Health and Well-being Centre which will house a swimming pool, library and police space. Improvements to health services and facilities in Hathershaw and Fitton Hill will be up and running from 2009. And work could begin on the first phase of the new £10m, three-storey Royton Health and Well-being centre as early as 2009.

A health and well-being centre has also been earmarked for Shaw and Crompton. And future plans include a Werneth Primary Care Centre and improved health services in Saddleworth.

Due to Oldham’s low numbers of GPs treating a high number of patients, the Government has earmarked extra funding to increase medical services.

As a result, two new GP-led practices will be built in Hollinwood and Coldhurst while a new health centre will be based in the town centre.

These are in addition to the LIFT projects and will help patients in some of the most deprived areas to access services, as well as ease the pressure on existing services.

The overall vision is for patients to be able to get a range of test and treatments under one roof at a modern, accessible health centre that saves them a trip to hospital.

Gail Richards, PCT chief executive, said: “Our aim has always been to create a network of community healthcare provision, ranging from local GP surgeries to our large integrated care centre. Oldhamers deserve their health care to be delivered from the very best premises — and by the right people.

“These facilities are being developed in partnership with the communities they serve.”

Opposition to a new way of working has been raised from some local GPs who fear smaller GP surgeries could be threatened.

But Mrs Richards believes the traditional role of the local GP surgery will continue to play key part in patients’ lives.

She said: “The network we are developing includes local GP surgeries and of course the new developments will all be home to GP practices — and the services traditionally offered by them.”

Consultation with residents and patients over the summer means the PCT will focus on six key health areas in the coming years — heart disease, cancer, mental health, respiratory disease, stopping smoking and improving access to health services.

Mrs Richards said: “The results we expect are fewer people dying from respiratory diseases, heart disease and stroke, earlier detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, with high take up of the cancer screening services that we’ll develop, and people with mental health problems being supported to access treatment and support that helps them live more fulfilling lives.

“We’ll also see a specific approach to improving lifestyle choices — a reduction in smoking, a healthier diet, less binge drinking and more exercise.

“Overall, we expect to see significant reduction in health inequalities across the borough and an increase in life expectancy, when compared with other parts of the country.”