A FARNWORTH councillor has blasted health bosses for "failing to deliver the people's choice".

Cllr Margaret Clare has criticised health managers for suggesting the Highfield estate would soon have its own GP, surgery and practice nurse, then offering "a second rate alternative".

As reported in the BEN, the plans for the Highfield estate have ground to a halt because of funding and equity issues . . . despite the fact the Harper Green ward of Farnworth has no GP at all.

Cllr Clare said: "I was told the salaried GP scheme being proposed for the Highfield estate was innovative and exciting.

"Local residents, who said this was what they wanted on the estate, were given to understand the scheme was on course - indeed a glossy brochure was produced, the residents' views sought and meetings convened.

"Now we're being told there's going to be an additional GP employed at a health centre two miles away. What use is this to the people of Highfield, many of whom do not own cars?

"At the end of the day it's a second rate scheme, which fails to meet the needs of the very people the health authority says it wants to serve. I am extremely disappointed about the whole thing."

A statement from Wigan and Bolton Health Authority says: "Following a meeting attended by representatives of Bolton South East Primary Care Group, a local GP practice, Bolton Community Trust and the Health Authority, it was agreed that the main objectives and benefits of the original Primary Care Act pilot initiative could best be achieved by alternative means as follows.

Increasing ther number of doctors in the area by one whole time equivalent.

Bolton South East PCG and Bolton Community Trust will work together in developing primary and community health services and ensure equity of access across all practices within the PCG area.

Mechanisms to improve access to community services in Highfield will be looked into as will the possibility of providing patient transport to GP relevant surgeries and health centres.

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