Decision looms for stroke care

OLDHAM residents are among more than 2,000 people who have taken part in a consultation about changing services for heart and stroke patients.

A total of 255 people from Oldham had their say as part of the Healthy Futures consultation which focuses on services in the north-east sector of Greater Manchester — covering Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, North Manchester and parts of Rossendale.

In total, 2,213 people attended roadshows, focus groups and meetings as part of the consultation, which has now ended.

The largest number (437) of respondents came from Rochdale. The proposals include moving complicated cardiology procedures from Rochdale Infirmary to Fairfield in Bury.

The changes could also see stroke patients who need rehabilitation receiving care at home or at a community in-patient centre.

Keith Wright, chairman of the Healthy Futures Joint Committee for Public Consultation, said: “We have endeavoured to make the consultation process as open, transparent and meaningful as possible.”

The committee will meet on Monday to consider the responses before a final decision is made on March 12.

For more details visit www.healthyfutures.nhs.uk, call 0161-655 7422 or email healthy-futures@hmr.nhs.uk.