Seven GPs have been elected to the Executive Committee namely Drs Ranjit Gill, Rebecca Baron, David Dawson and David Gilbert for a three year term of office and Drs Glicher, Allen and Devine for a 2 year term. In addition Peter Marks was elected the other professionals representative and Judith Smith and Barbara Swann (both Community Nursing background) as Nursing representatives.

Your LMC has recently been advised that following an election amongst executive committee members, Dr Sue Glicher has been elected chair of the Executive Committee and Judy Smith as Vice-Chair.

A further appointment has been that of Richard Popplewell as PCT Chief Executive. Richard is an experienced chief executive, his most previous post being that of chief executive at Bury & Rochdale Health Authority. Richard brings substantial NHS experience to Stockport having worked as Regional Statistician at the old North West Regional Health Authority and also Regional Director of Planning. Richard will join Stockport PCT formally in July. Your LMC wishes Richard well in this crucial post and will be extending an invitation to Richard to meet informally with the LMC as soon as possible.

Yes it is official, Stockport’s 3 Primary Care Groups will merge on 1st April 2001 to form the Stockport Primary Care Trust. The Secretary of State announced his decision during January and confirmed that the Executive Committee arrangements proposed were acceptable in view of the proposed size of the Trust (295,000 patients). He did say however, that he would be looking for the Executive Committee to reflect wider clinical representation as time progressed.

Subsequently, Professor Sam Moore, a Stockport resident who is currently chairman of Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust has been appointed Chairman of the PCT. Professor Moore will clearly bring good experience of secondary care to the Trust. Naturally, your LMC will be aiming to assist bringing Professor Moore up to speed with Primary Care issues as soon as possible.

The next steps include the appointment to the Chief Executive post (which has now been advertised nationally). In addition the potential 13 GP candidates for the Executive Committee are presently undergoing their pre-selection training. Should all candidates come through the selection process successfully, it is probable that a formal election will be the best method of ensuring all Stockport GPs have their say in determining how our Primary Care Trust will be run. The selection process will be organised in conjunction with your LMC and we will obviously keep you all informed.

Dr Susan Glicher, Joint—Chair West Stockport PCG said “I was very pleased the PCT received the go-ahead and our Chairman’s NHS experience will certainly benefit the development of the PCT. Naturally I am now anxious for the Chief Executive and Executive Committee appointments to be made as soon as possible.” Dr Glicher also extended an invitation to any GP to contact her (0161 419 4041) should they wish to discuss any aspect of the PCT development.

xactly 100 votes were received in time for the Official LMC Stockport PCT Ballot. These were counted in the presence of Mr. Frank Hume, Chief Executive, North Stockport PCG and Clare Parker, Primary Care Development Manager.  This represented a turnout of almost 60% of Stockport GPs. With all votes counted by hand and 85% voting in favour of forming a Single Level Primary Care Trust effective from 1st April 2001 there has been no call for a recount in our election!

In addition to voting in favour of the PCT, 94% of voting GPs were in favour of an executive committee comprising 7 GPs. Furthermore the table below suggests that GPs would prefer a devolved management structure down to probably a locality level. Interestingly, over 50% of those voting would like parts of the management and financial structure devolved to practice level.

All comments made on the voting papers were anonymously forwarded to the PCT Development Committee who now await Secretary of State approval for the PCT following a successful recent presentation to the Regional Authority. Watch our web site for further news.