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Greater Manchester seven-day health care plan unveiled Greater Manchester seven-day health care plan unveiled
(about 17 hours later)
More than two million Greater Manchester residents will have access to seven-day primary health care by the end of 2015, under new plans.More than two million Greater Manchester residents will have access to seven-day primary health care by the end of 2015, under new plans.
The plans, to be unveiled later, involve care "hubs" offering more week day, evening and weekend appointments. The plans involve the creation of new care "hubs" offering more week day, evening and weekend appointments.
It means patients unable to get appointments with their usual GP would still have access to a doctor.It means patients unable to get appointments with their usual GP would still have access to a doctor.
The scheme, funded by £15m from the government and NHS England, ties in with plans for regional devolution.The scheme, funded by £15m from the government and NHS England, ties in with plans for regional devolution.
In February, it was announced Greater Manchester was to become the first region in England to get full control of health spending.In February, it was announced Greater Manchester was to become the first region in England to get full control of health spending.
The new primary care hubs would be different to existing NHS walk-in centres because they would feature doctors with access to patients' full medical history.The new primary care hubs would be different to existing NHS walk-in centres because they would feature doctors with access to patients' full medical history.
'Transform health''Transform health'
A pilot scheme running since 2013 has already seen a number of "demonstrator" hubs offering seven day appointments, serving about 500,000 people.A pilot scheme running since 2013 has already seen a number of "demonstrator" hubs offering seven day appointments, serving about 500,000 people.
Under the new plans, this will be expanded to the whole region - serving a further 1.7m people.Under the new plans, this will be expanded to the whole region - serving a further 1.7m people.
The scheme involves NHS England, local clinical commissioning groups, and the region's 10 local authorities.The scheme involves NHS England, local clinical commissioning groups, and the region's 10 local authorities.
Sir Howard Bernstein, joint chairman of the Greater Manchester health and social care devolution programme board, said the project had the potential to "transform health for the region" and "help take the pressure off hospitals".Sir Howard Bernstein, joint chairman of the Greater Manchester health and social care devolution programme board, said the project had the potential to "transform health for the region" and "help take the pressure off hospitals".
However, Dr Mark Porter, of the British Medical Association, questioned how the government plans to deliver more health care at a time when the NHS is operating under an "already overstretched budget".However, Dr Mark Porter, of the British Medical Association, questioned how the government plans to deliver more health care at a time when the NHS is operating under an "already overstretched budget".
He said: "The government must explain how it will fund and staff more GP and hospital services."He said: "The government must explain how it will fund and staff more GP and hospital services."
An announcement with further details will be made later during a keynote speech at the annual Greater Manchester Primary Care Summit. The plans were outlined at the annual Greater Manchester Primary Care Summit.