THE ORGANISATION which manages GP’s and health services in the borough has been told it must improve.

NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has been handed a rating of ‘Requires Improvement’ by assessors.

The group was told it should provide better care for cancer patients and focus on reducing hospital emergency admissions. Other issues highlighted include avoiding patient falls, improving use of antibiotics and giving more support to staff.

It comes as NHS England released the results of its Improvement and Assessment Framework, which reviewed CCGs across the country.

Oldham was one of 69 areas in England where providers were told they must improve, with 11 CCGs branded ‘Inadequate”.

Dr Carolyn Wilkins, accountability officer for the group, said the situation will improve as the CCG continues the process of knitting together health and social car services throughout Oldham.

“We welcome this assessment, which we think is a fair reflection on where we are up to on our journey to integrate and improve local NHS services,” she said.

“The assessment results will be used to help understand where we need to further concentrate our efforts in the year ahead.”

In addition to identifying areas where the CCG could improve, NHS England’s report also highlighted a number of strengths shown throughout 2018/19.

These include efforts to improve psychological therapies, maternity services and GP access, as well as recognition of care for people with learning disabilities and dementia.

The review also found that around 84 percent of patients who use Oldham’s A&E are admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours and that 82 percent of those treated by GPs in the borough would rate their experience as ‘Good’.

Chief clinical officer Dr John Patterson added: “We are facing challenges on a number of fronts – especially financial and workforce - while demand for services is continuing to rise.

“However, we are already seeing the benefits of closer integration of the health and social care in the borough which is helping people look after themselves while they can and get high quality care and support when they need it.”

Oldham’s health and social care system is in the process of changing as staff move towards a model which brings together conventional healthcare and community services. This will all now fall under the name Oldham Cares.