Health Centre Scheme with a Focus on Healthy Living
06/05/2008
Gloucestershire PCT has today provided information on an exciting project to improve the availability and range of health services in one of the county’s most deprived areas.
This is part of a national programme to develop GP led services across the country and provide improved healthcare facilities for patients.
National funding has been made available to develop projects in each primary care trust area in the South West.
In Gloucestershire, the PCT has been working with local GPs to develop a service specification which would provide an increased range of health promotion and medical services in an area of the county with some of the greatest health needs.
Jan Stubbings explained:
“We would want to see a local scheme that actively supports our vision of supporting and promoting healthy lifestyle choices.”
“Whether it’s reducing obesity, promoting mental health and social inclusion or helping people to give up smoking, we are working on a partnership project which would encourage healthy living and provide services to reflect that.”
The project could be centred on an existing premises from which health or social care is provided and would be open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
Services would be available for both registered and non registered patients. The range of services and details on how this could best work are currently being discussed.
Jan added:
“Overall, patients in the county benefit from good access to GP services. As a result, we want to make sure that we make best use of national funds to deliver a project that will build on this and have a real focus on health improvement.”
“We also remain committed to working with local GPs to ensure that the high priority schemes for replacement GP surgeries already approved are also pursued.”
Chair of the PCT’s Professional Executive Committee and GP, Dr Tony Walsh said:
“The PCT is taking a positive approach to developing a local scheme that can contribute to meeting local health needs. This requires a partnership approach and there will need to be close working with a range of partners, including local GPs, to make sure it is introduced in the right way and does not have a detrimental effect on existing services.”
The new health centre scheme will be GP led and potential providers will be invited to express an interest in the local NHS scheme. Local and national advertisements will be placed the week beginning 5 May, 2008.
The PCT will want to ensure that local people are consulted on how the project is delivered, including agreeing the range of services to be provided and considering what the most important issues are when appointing a provider. Bidders will be short listed and formally invited to tender in July.
Those bidding to provide the service will propose a location in the county for the new health centre service, although Gloucester City has been identified as a possible location for the Health Centre.
