Medical success confirmed

The following message has been received this morning from Rob Nolan of Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust: "We have had confirmation from Central & East Cheshire that they accept our proposal to extend the current arrangements, which is clearly the preferred option for all concerned.

"Kim Witkiss from my team is dealing with the negotiations and will keep you informed on progress."

Last Friday, Audlem Online published details of a meeting that had taken place in Chester between local Medical Practice representatives and senior executives of the Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust (WCPCT).

The previous day, 17th February, Dr Russell Muirhead and two members of the Practice's Patient Panel had met WCPCT's chief executive, Helen Bellairs, and three Trust senior managers including Iain Crossley, finance director and Rob Nolan.

It was a constructive meeting throughout and Audlem's representatives left satisfied with the agreed settlement. Potentially serious issues had arisen over funding for community health services paid for by WCPCT but provided over recent years by the more local Cheshire East Community Health (CECH).

The Medical Practice and patients' representatives were particularly concerned to maintain continuity of service over the twelve months from April 2011 until funding responsibility passes fully to GPs a year later. In particular, they were anxious to avoid any increased clinical risk if local Audlem and District patients had to travel to more remote WCPCT locations.

The confirmation received today means that patients should be able to continue with community health services at the locations they have used in previous years for the year running from April 2011 – April 2012 when responsibility will move fully to the GP consortia being set up at present.

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