HEALTH chiefs are set to sign a new contract aimed at improving GP waiting times.

The Bolton Quality Contract, which it is hoped will also save £400,000 from health services, will be introduced on April 1, after members of the Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group agreed to implement it.

The contract, which will run until March 2016, is aimed at eliminating waste in prescribing, reducing unnecessary hospital appointments and A&E attendances and keeping all practices across Bolton open during core hours.

It is estimated Bolton CCG will invest £3.4 million in primary care during the contract's first year.

But health bosses believe the targets set mean the CCG will save £3.78 million — a net saving of just under £400,000.

Dr Stephen Liversedge, clinical director for primary care and health improvement at Bolton CCG, said: "General practice is not in crisis but there are issues we must address.

"We are in a period of austerity and we face financial challenges.

"More and more is being expected of general practice. The NHS money is being spent, but it is being wasted.

"Are we prescribing safely to the elderly, for example? I'm not sure we are.

"We must eliminate waste so that money can be spent on more patient services.

"This contract will mean Bolton people can see a GP when they need to and they won't have wasted journeys.

"The intention is for this contract to pay for itself."

The contract will contain a series of mandatory targets, relating to emergency planning and transfer of care, practices will be rewarded financially for hitting targets.

Up to £1.9 million in rewards will be made available to practices across Bolton if they hit the targets, which also include patient safety and patient experience.

If the expected targets are not met by practices, Bolton CCG will either cancel the contract or make changes to it.

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