Fit for purpose

Pride in Oldham Awards 2016, at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Pic shows Health Worker Award winners, OCL Health and Physical Activity team with presenter Laura Tomlinson (3rd from left).

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OLDHAM Community Leisure Health and Physical Activity Team has taken great strides in boosting the borough's health.

So it was a fitting victory for them to scoop the Pride in Oldham Health Worker Award gong.

The team, consisting of Jason Bailey, Stuart Cheetham, Jackie Hanley, Jo Parry and Patrick Wolstenholme, were among those accepting the accolade.

Their work looking after people with specialist conditions who use the OCL facilities to help improve their health and offer them support through physical activity rather than medication has had a massive impact and helps reduce the burden of care on the NHS.

Senior health and physical activity development officer Jackie Hanley said: We're absolutely over the moon to receive this award. To have this recognition says a lot about what we're trying to do to make a difference in Oldham."

Pennine Medical Centre, which has surgeries in Greenfield and Mossley, was a runner-up in the category after being nominated by Marlene Maclean who has been a patient with the practice for over 50 years and has high praise for medical and reception staff.

Dr Bal Duper told us: "We are absolutely delighted we were nominated and in the final. We'd like to thank our patients and all the staff for their support.

"We are proud to be part of the NHS in Oldham. Long live the NHS!"

Professional carer Dallas Baker was a fellow finalist after being nominated by Gary Rowbottom (51), who despite being registered blind, is disabled and has diabetes, has been able to lead a more independent life thanks to the outstanding care and commitment shown by Dallas who has looked after him for four years.

"It's nice to be nominated," said Dallas. "But I really do feel like I'm just doing my job. It's been an amazing night, especially for Gary who came with me and has met lots of friends he hasn't seen for a while"