Screening target proving difficult to achieve

CHLAMYDIA screening is proving a difficult target to reach for NHS Oldham.

The primary care trust missed its first target by just over a third in the the first quarter on 2009-10 (April-July).

A total of 1,092 screens were carried out, which was 569 below the target of 1,661.

Plans to increase screenings include working with pharmacists to improve access to chlamydia screening and writing to young people to tell them where they can access the service.

However, the number of breastfeeding mums up to eight weeks from birth has doubled to 80 per cent.

Meanwhile, NHS Oldham is forecasting to deliver an end of year surplus of just over £1.5 million.

Areas of risk in the forthcoming financial year include elective admission and outpatient follow-ups , increases in chemotherapy treatments, and general patient transport services.