Pushing new boundaries

OLDHAM has been given the green light to lead the way in how health services are commissioned.

The Government asked local authorities and NHS trusts to become early implementers of new Health and Wellbeing Boards and Oldham has now been granted approval from the Department of Health.

It will also be one of the first members of a new national learning network which will examine best practice by sharing information, connections and practical support.

The boards, which will be established in each local authority area across the country by April, 2013, will help councils and NHS organisations, such as the new GP consortia, work together to make health services more effective for their communities. Oldham’s will operate as a shadow board for the next two years and looks set to meet for the first time in May.

It will be led by an independent chairman alongside deputies from Oldham Council and the future local GPs commissioning consortium.

There will also be other NHS and council members including: the director of public health, patients’ groups and representatives from the voluntary, community and faith sectors.

The council’s deputy leader, Jackie Stanton, said: “It is excellent news that Oldham has been accepted to become an early implementer.

“The position of chairman of the new board is already being advertised now which signals our intention to start work as soon as possible to proceed in moving this exciting but challenging agenda forward.

“A workshop has been held to discuss priorities for the new board and future members all agreed it needs to be at the hub of work to address health inequalities in Oldham.

“That will include looking at issues such as housing, worklessness, transport and the environment, and their impact on public health.”

Dr Ian Wilkinson, a Chadderton GP and chairman of the Commissioning for Oldham Group which represents all GPs in Oldham, said: “This is going to be a very important strategic partnership.

“We are fully committed to working hard to make existing services more effective and deliver the best possible outcomes for local people.”