Local GP appointed to lead future health services in Bury

Date published: 24 August 2011

A local GP has been appointed to drive forward the planning and delivery of future health services in Bury.

Dr. Kiran Patel, a local GP from Greenmount Medical Centre, has been appointed to the role of Chairman and Clinical Lead of Bury’s shadow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The emerging Clinical Commissioning Group will take over responsibility for the planning and buying of local health services when the Primary Care Trust (NHS Bury) ceases to exist in April 2013.

The Group will represent all of the 33 GP practices in the town, which in total serve a population of over 190,000 patients.

It will be responsible for planning and paying for local health services. This will include planned hospital care such as operations, rehabilitation services, urgent and emergency care, and most community services. The Group will also be responsible for engaging with local people to ensure that the services they are paying for meet their needs.

The appointment of Dr. Patel to the role of Clinical Lead follows a rigorous interview process which involved assessment against a range of key competencies such as having a patient and public focus, leadership and strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement and collaboration and financial awareness.

Following a recommendation by the interview panel that Dr. Patel be appointed to the role, GPs and representatives of other professional groups such as pharmacists, dentists and opticians from across Bury endorsed the recommendation. Dr. Patel will commence the role from 1st September 2011 for three days per week, whist continuing to practice as a GP at Greenmount Medical Centre.

Dr. Patel has been involved in the early development work for Bury's Clinical Commissioning Group since January 2011, when he took a leading role in this development phase.

Paul Horrocks, Locality Board Chairman for NHS Bury said: “Under the leadership of Dr. Patel, the development team have made significant progress and set firm foundations for the future vision of the NHS in Bury. I am delighted that we have secured someone of Kiran’s calibre to take over the reins and drive this process further forward."

"Kiran’s appointment signals an exciting new beginning for the commissioning of local health services within Bury. It will be a challenging and rewarding role which will bring with it real opportunities to improve the quality of services and improving health. I wish Kiran and his future team every success.”

Talking about his appointment, Dr. Patel added: “I feel privileged to be given this opportunity to lead the commissioning of health services for the patients we serve. Myself and members of the development team have taken the emerging CCG to a state of readiness to start taking on commissioning responsibilities. It’s a really exciting time for the NHS and I relish the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead to drive up the quality of health services, work more efficiently and improve the health of people in Bury.”