NHS Trafford CCG will be investing £3.5 million to deliver more care closer to home, the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced.
The money will be used to hire more community matrons, a community geriatrician and a team to support people with complex needs and mental health issues.
NHS England will oversee the changes, which include the implementation of a local “integrated care system” and maintaining access to out-of-hours mental health services.
NHS Trafford CCG will be investing £3.5 million to deliver more care closer to home, the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced.
The money will be used to hire more community matrons, a community geriatrician and a team to support people with complex needs and mental health issues.
NHS England will oversee the changes, which include the implementation of a local “integrated care system” and maintaining access to out-of-hours mental health services.
Dr Nigel Guest, chief clinical officer at NHS Trafford CCG said: “As part of these changes the clinical commissioning group will develop more integrated care services to benefit all patients across the borough.
“We will also invest further in community and primary care service, and make sure they are much more joined up and coordinated with all local hospital care.”
Jeremy Hunt said: “Changes to local health services are often controversial and require difficult decisions to be made. Where there is clear evidence that changes will benefit patients, such as the cases set out today, I will not shy away from taking those tough decisions.”
Patient safety
Following advice from the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP), Trafford General Hospital and vascular services in Cumbria and Lancashire will be revamped.
A&E, intensive care and emergency surgery will no longer be provided on the site.
There will be an increased range of outpatient appointments and day case surgery available at Trafford General Hospital.
Due to concerns raised about long-term patient safety, the local NHS in Trafford and Greater Manchester proposed changes to the hospital so that services continue to be safe.
Over half of local residents already use other A&E services nearby, in one of the three large university hospitals within a 10 mile radius of Trafford.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “The changes to Trafford General Hospital and to vascular services in Cumbria and Lancashire are supported by a very strong clinical case and have been driven locally by doctors and other healthcare professionals, who know their patients better than any politician. I have followed their advice and support and believe these changes are necessary to make sure patients receive safe high quality care.”
