A NEW pilot scheme at a Bolton medical practice is claimed to improve the quality of service to patients.

Swan Lane Medical Centre has provided the various agencies involved in a person's care with up-to-date information about their needs.

And according to Bolton's social services chairman, Cllr Ken Peters, it allows them to provide better co-ordinated services, by involving both Social Services and the Council's Housing Departments where necessary.

"Working together, the Council's Social Services and Housing Departments, and the medical staff at the Centre, are aiming to improve the service to local people," said Cllr Peters. "We hope that this will lead to further practice agreements with other medical and health centres throughout the borough," he added. Dr Ian Caldwell, at Swan Lane Medical Centre, added: "We hope that this work will ultimately improve patient care for those with complex needs, who live in their own homes and who receive care from a number of professionals.

"Regular contact between those professionals who provide services for people will improve the delivery of care."

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