SSP Health has been announced as the contract holders of a new GP practice, which will open later this year in the Oakwood Park area of Salford.

Following a tendering process, Salford Primary Care Trust (PCT) awarded the contract for the practice, which will be open Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings. The practice is one of four new developments under the Equitable Access to Primary Care programme.

The new practice, which is due to open during autumn 2009, will give local people better access to GPs and other healthcare professionals. Over the next five years the practice’s registered list size will grow to 5,000, providing services for people in the practice area. 

Patients will be able to access a wide range of services at the surgery including, child health services, screening, vaccination and healthy living and support services.
This extra practice will complement the existing GP services and GP out-of-hours services in the area. 

Alan Campbell, Director of Commissioning at the PCT said: "I’m delighted that SSP Health will be the new provider of this important service. This is a really exciting opportunity to change the face of primary care in an area where people need more GPs and extra services. 

“Up to 5,000 extra patients will be able to register at Oakwood Park and, with the extended opening hours, they will have a greater choice of appointment times than ever before.” 

Stef Byrom, Chief Executive of SSP Health, said: 

“SSP Health is honoured to have been awarded a "Darzi" practice contract by Salford PCT.  Salford  PCT selected SSP Health from many other applications and we are delighted. 
SSP Health has been working productively with our host PCTs and are very excited at working with Salford PCT to improve the health outcomes within the locality. 
The new "Darzi" service is planned to go live October 2009. It will have a special focus on screening patients to diagnose early and treat illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease so that patients benefit from a better quality of life. SSP Health are delighted to have been given this opportunity to work in Salford on such an exciting new project.