Date: 18th December 2020

Our Ref:

Leader of Council

nd Se 2 Floor Town Hall Victoria Square Bolton BL1 1RU

Tel: 01204 331094

www.bolton.gov.uk

Dear Wirin

Letter of Support

We have been made aware of a public message from a small group of local councillors that as part of a survey, expresses opinions that are not supportive of local GPs and this at a time when all parts of the NHS are under huge pressure and grappling with the pandemic and implementation of a national vaccination scheme.

As the leaders of each political group representing Bolton Council, we want to express our sincere gratitude to Bolton GPs, primary care and their teams for their support offered to Bolton people during the COVID-19 pandemic and assure you that you have our support.

We understand that the way you now deliver your services has changed in order to keep people safe, with telephone and technology providing the first contact option. Many local people have responded positively to this and your focus on keeping them safe. We recognise this has made for some less visible the work you are doing but we are aware of the great pressure GPs and their teams are under and the extra hours you are putting in to support our residents.

We are kept regularly updated by CCG colleagues on the many pressures Bolton General Practices are facing because of the pandemic and its impacts on health and wellbeing of your patients. We know you are meeting demands beyond the health issues caused by COVID-19, not least the flu vaccination campaign and now the very exciting commencement of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

We understand that experiences of care may not always be perfect, and we will always listen to the concerns from the residents we represent. We want to assure you that we encourage all councillors to follow the appropriate route to raise these concerns so they can be acted upon through proper process.

Bolton South Turton …all in the family Please pass on our thanks to your teams on behalf of Bolton Council for the important support you are providing to local people.

Your sincerely

Cllr David Greenhalgh

Leader of the Conservative Group

Cllr Nick Peel NPeel

Leader of the Labour Group

Cllr Roger Hayes

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

Cllr Paul Sanders

Leader of Farnworth and Kearsley First Group

Cllr Sean Hornby

Leader of UKIP Group

Cllr Marie Brady

Leader of Horwich & Blackrod Independents

First

Tony Oakman Chief Exec, Bolton Council

Bolton Blackrod Farnworth Horwich Kearsley Little Lever South Turton Westhoughton …all in the family