‘Health academy’ to bring in new workers

A NEW ‘health academy’ that aims to attract new skills and workers to the borough has been launched.

Rochdale Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Zaman lent his support at a launch event at Rochdale Football Club on Wednesday, September 12.

The academy has been set up by Rochdale Health Alliance using funds from the borough’s transformation programme granted by NHS Heywood Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (HMR CCG) and Rochdale council.

It will introduce apprenticeships, different roles and training in order to help address the issues of attracting and retaining GPs and other skilled health and care professionals to Rochdale.

Guests heard about plans to utilise the skills of paramedics, occupational therapists and physician associates who are training in the borough in a bid to avert a potential shortage of skilled staff in years to come.

Hopwood Hall College showcased its new opportunities for apprentices who may be attracted to working in the local health and care sector.

Dr Gill Tonge is a GP in Middleton and a director of the new primary care academy.

She said: “This area offers amazing opportunities to gain skills and expertise for people who want to work in the NHS.”