BOLTON has a new provider of healthcare services for young people aged between five and 19.

Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the contract to deliver school nursing, alcohol and substance misuse, sexual health and healthy schools services by Bolton Council from December 1.

More than 100 staff already working in these services in the town will transfer their employment to Bridgewater at the start of the contract.

The trust is an experienced NHS provider of children and young people’s community nursing and medical services in Wigan, St Helens, Warrington and Halton and has been providing community dental services in Bolton since 2011.

Michelle Bradshaw from Bridgewater Children’s Services said: “We have been working closely with the council, schools and existing providers of services to ensure a smooth launch of the new service.

“This is a really exciting time for us as we work to bring to life Bolton Council’s vision for a joined up health service that will reduce the number of separate referrals to services for some of the borough’s most vulnerable children and young people.

She added: “We are looking forward to welcoming around 100 Bolton-based staff to our Trust and will be working with them as well as children, young people and their families to look at how we can develop the existing services and improve access.”

The new service has been commissioned as a result of Bolton Council’s new responsibilities for Public Health services.

Councillor Linda Thomas, Deputy Leader of Bolton Council added: “We’re delighted to welcome Bridgewater on board to provide these important services for our children.

“We were impressed by the quality of the services they provide and look forward to working with them.”

All appointments and assessments from December 1 will be offered by Bridgewater and existing clients and service users will be contacted directly.

For more information on Bridgewater visit bridgewater.nhs.uk or follow @Bridgewater_NHS on Twitter or BridgewaterNHS on facebook.

If you have any queries relating to the transfer of services please contact Bridgewater Patient Services on 0800 587 0561 or email patient.services@bridgewater.nhs.uk