| INTRODUCTION
FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE |
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| This
Annual Report not only summarises the performance of Wirral Health
Authority in its work to improve the health of its population over
the last year, but also takes modernisation as its theme. In 1998,
we saw the establishment of Primary Care Groups for Bebington and
West Wirral, Birkenhead and Wallasey. These have already established
a track record for the development of new services in our local
communities and have had major successes in introducing innovative
new services. For example, these new organisations have worked together
to put in place new community-based clinics for people living with
orthopaedic and dermatological (skin) problems, which have reduced
waiting times for treatment. Furthermore, in Wallasey, a new Heart
Centre is being piloted which will enable quick access for diagnosis
and referral to a consultant from a community-based clinic, run
by GP specialists. These examples mark a major shift in how health
care will be provided in the future. Much more of the decision making
will take place within these new primary care organisations, which,
being based in the communities concerned, have a close understanding
of the needs of local residents. In April 2001, Bebington and West
Wirral Primary Care Group was established as a Primary Care Trust.
This means that it receives the funding for health care for its
residents and will be able to reshape services more effectively
to suit their needs. It will be followed in April 2002 by Birkenhead
and Wallasey Primary Care Groups, which propose to come together
as a Primary Care Tr ust in a similar way. This is a time of radical
change in the NHS and it is also your opportunity, through these
local Primary Care Trusts, to have your say in the shaping of local
services – please take it! In this report you will find details
of these new organisations and how you can play your part in modernising
local health services. |
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Myra Pearce, CHAIRMAN
Paul
Cronin,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
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| BOARD
MEMBERS |
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Geoffrey
Wynne
Our
Vice-Chairman, Geoffrey, was appointed a Non Executive Director
when he retired from ICI in 1997. Our Complaints Convenor, he
also sits on our GP Performance Committee.
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Wendy
Johnson
Wendy
is a Business Development Manager at the University of Manchester
Institute of Science and Technology. Appointed a Non Executive
Director in 1998, Wendy is a member of the Wallasey Primary Care
Group Board, Mental Health Manager and the Chair of our Pharmacy
Contracts Committee and Appeals Committee. She is also Deputy
Chair of Blackburne House Women’s Technology Centre in Liverpool.
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David
Kennedy
Chairman
of the Wirral Division Riverside Housing Association, David was
formerly Deputy Director of Housing and Environmental Health and
Fellow of the Royal Society of Health. David sits on our Risk
Management Committee. He was appointed on April 1, 2000.
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Norman
Pursglove
Appointed
Non Executive Director in April 1996, Norman is a Chartered Accountant
and a member of Bebington and West Wirral Primary Care Group Board
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Frances
Street .
A Justice of the Peace for 15 years and member of the Birkenhead
Primary Care Group Board. Frances has an interest in mental health.
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| Executive
Directors |
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Dr
Janet Atherton Director of Public Health and Partnership Planning.
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Kathy
Doran Director of Primary Care and Organisational Development until
February, 2001. Kathy was succeeded by Acting Director of Primary
Care Chris Page. |
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Mike
Brereton Director of Finance and Performance Management. |
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Peter
Lear Director of Strategy and Service Development. |
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The
Authority Board is supported by two other Directors:
Ken
Cooper - Director of Corporate Affairs.
Dr
Carl Onion - Medical Director.
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HEALTH
AUTHORITY MEETINGS
Members
of the public are invited to attend formal Wirral Health Authority
Board meetings, held in our Training Room at St Catherine’s Community
Hospital, from 1.30pm. Notice of meetings and minutes are circulated
to Wirral’s main libraries. The next Board meeting will take place
on Thursday December 13, 2001 and further dates will be announced
in due course.
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