Experts give blueprint for a ‘healthier future’
9:22am Friday 25th January 2013 in News
HEALTH chiefs, councillors, union representatives and members of the public came together to discuss plans for a redesign of healthcare in Bolton.
The Healthier Together review, which has caused controversy in Bolton and led to concerns about current services being downgraded, is an ongoing plan that will affect healthcare across Greater Manchester.
The organisation has said the current district general hospitals system is outdated and bosses are working with the region’s 12 Clinical Commissioning Groups to create a new model.
They want a system that focuses on specialist units and has a greater emphasis on community care.
A public consultation has now been launched.
Last night’s packed meeting, in the Bolton Albert Halls, was an opportunity for the Healthier Together team to explain the reasons behind the proposals and answer any concerns.
But despite presentations from those behind Healthier Together, including Dr Wirin Bhatiani, chairman of Bolton’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and Dr Anne Talbot, a Bolton GP and associate medical director for NHS Greater Manchester which is leading the review, there were calls for a second follow-up meeting. Dr Bhatiani said Healthier Together aimed to have a clinically-led redesign that would lead to better prevention, earlier GP intervention, and better support in the community.
Harry Hanley, secretary of Staff Side, which represents employees at the Royal Bolton Hospital, raised concerns about community care, and Dr Bhatiani said the review would mean more money spent in the community.
Dr Bhatiani added: “Healthier Together and local issues are not linked. Even if Royal Bolton Hospital was fine, we would still need to have this discussion about Healthier Together. The change is for the better and the fact that doctors are involved is critical.”
But concerns were raised about Greater Manchester’s transport system with one member of the public asking if Bolton could have a helicopter system to transport the sick to specialist centres. Dr Talbot said ambulances are “like mini-hospitals” adding that a person’s chance of survival is better if they travel to a specialist centre, even if it means passing other hospitals on the way.
She added: “Fabrice Muamba went past four London hospitals to get to the hospital that was going to treat him and that is why he is here today.”
l A consultation on the Healthier Together plans is due to start in spring. Organisers are hoping to hold a second meeting in Bolton in late March.
Comments(15)
rostron
says...
9:55am Fri 25 Jan 13
If Bolton lose their A&E, & we are shipped to Manchester, how is Manchester supposed to cope with it all?
Lives will be lost if Bolton closes, as for Fabirice, he would have had Docotors etc in the ambulance, us poor minions, will have to rely on paramedics.God help us all, we are going to need it.
Beyond News Forum
says...
11:12am Fri 25 Jan 13
Let's have a show of hands on who is up for a 'class action' let's all not pay our taxes to the Liebore council!
They can't throw us all in the overcrowded jails.
Beyond News Forum
says...
11:13am Fri 25 Jan 13
rostron wrote:Well he had that lovely guy who came onto the pitch. he was a doctor. I fear Fab would have kicked the ball clean out of the park if that guy was not there on hand.
Thameside hospital is now to lose their A&E, & shipped to Manchester hospitals.
If Bolton lose their A&E, & we are shipped to Manchester, how is Manchester supposed to cope with it all?
Lives will be lost if Bolton closes, as for Fabirice, he would have had Docotors etc in the ambulance, us poor minions, will have to rely on paramedics.God help us all, we are going to need it.
Beyond News Forum
says...
11:17am Fri 25 Jan 13
Unquote -
Need??? Healthier Together??? Now who's pocket has been pinched to fund that one, and who is the man receiving all the cash in wages?
Bureaucracy at its finest!
We have the population of a small city in Bolton, so we need the facilities of a small city. Not keep having to accept that Manchester is the viable choice of every blinking thing that financial departments and independent bodies can throw at it.
FFS kill me now!
boltonnut
says...
12:17pm Fri 25 Jan 13
boltonnut
says...
12:37pm Fri 25 Jan 13
boltonnut
says...
12:38pm Fri 25 Jan 13
boltonnut
says...
12:40pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Puffin-Billy
says...
12:47pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Have a look on these websites to see what kind of morally bankrupt people are pushing through these so-called reforms.
Has anyone asked Cllr Andy Morgan whether he is happy that his own party has these links to big business?
http://socialinvesti
gations.blogspot.co.
uk/
And:
http://socialinvesti
gations.blogspot.co.
uk/p/lords-financial
-links-to-companies.
html
And: Revealed: Head of Monitor Has Ties with Private Healthcare Lobby Group Who See Tax, Pensions and NHS Brand as Barrier in 'Fair Playing Field' Review.
Puffin-Billy
says...
12:52pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Beyond News Forum wrote:What plans? What blueprint?
Quote - Dr Bhatiani added: “Healthier Together and local issues are not linked. Even if Royal Bolton Hospital was fine, we would still need to have this discussion about Healthier Together. The change is for the better and the fact that doctors are involved is critical.”
Unquote -
Need??? Healthier Together??? Now who's pocket has been pinched to fund that one, and who is the man receiving all the cash in wages?
Bureaucracy at its finest!
We have the population of a small city in Bolton, so we need the facilities of a small city. Not keep having to accept that Manchester is the viable choice of every blinking thing that financial departments and independent bodies can throw at it.
FFS kill me now!
If they had any guts they would print exactly what they intend to do in the BN.
Puffin-Billy
says...
1:20pm Fri 25 Jan 13
rostron wrote:If anybody cares anything about our NHS they might like to investigate the links between
Thameside hospital is now to lose their A&E, & shipped to Manchester hospitals.
If Bolton lose their A&E, & we are shipped to Manchester, how is Manchester supposed to cope with it all?
Lives will be lost if Bolton closes, as for Fabirice, he would have had Docotors etc in the ambulance, us poor minions, will have to rely on paramedics.God help us all, we are going to need it.
Sir Stephen Bubb, David Worskett, and David Bennett’, the chair of Monitor, the industry regulator, and Cllr Andy Morgan's Party.
At:
http://socialinvesti
gations.blogspot.co.
uk/2012/07/key-membe
r-of-nhs-future-foru
m-colluded.html
Puffin-Billy
says...
3:32pm Fri 25 Jan 13
rostron wrote:Wake up and smell the coffee !
Thameside hospital is now to lose their A&E, & shipped to Manchester hospitals.
If Bolton lose their A&E, & we are shipped to Manchester, how is Manchester supposed to cope with it all?
Lives will be lost if Bolton closes, as for Fabirice, he would have had Docotors etc in the ambulance, us poor minions, will have to rely on paramedics.God help us all, we are going to need it.
Trafford casualty will now be called an urgent care centre, and open between 8am and midnight.
Emergency surgery will also be axed and the intensive care and paediatric observation and assessment units will close.
Tory-controlled Trafford council have passed a motion calling on Jeremy Hunt to intervene.
Hypocrites !
Beyond News Forum
says...
5:29pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Puffin-Billy wrote:Good shot! That was a peach... Nearly took the net out on the way in!
Beyond News Forum wrote:What plans? What blueprint?
Quote - Dr Bhatiani added: “Healthier Together and local issues are not linked. Even if Royal Bolton Hospital was fine, we would still need to have this discussion about Healthier Together. The change is for the better and the fact that doctors are involved is critical.”
Unquote -
Need??? Healthier Together??? Now who's pocket has been pinched to fund that one, and who is the man receiving all the cash in wages?
Bureaucracy at its finest!
We have the population of a small city in Bolton, so we need the facilities of a small city. Not keep having to accept that Manchester is the viable choice of every blinking thing that financial departments and independent bodies can throw at it.
FFS kill me now!
If they had any guts they would print exactly what they intend to do in the BN.
Boltonmc
says...
7:18pm Fri 25 Jan 13
tony000 says...
9:43am Fri 25 Jan 13