Sent on behalf of Kathy Doran, Chief Executive. NHS Wirral:

Dear Colleague

I am writing to let you know that Wirral PCT will now publicly be known as NHS Wirral.

This is in line with Lord Darzi’s recommendations for the NHS under the “Next Stage review” published this summer, and recognises that the public are not always aware of the demarcations within the NHS and are primarily interested in seeing a high quality, integrated health service.

You may have noticed the NHS Wirral name beginning to appear already, and this will become more prevalent as we run old stocks of materials down before we switch to the new name – we are committed to introducing this change in the most cost-effective manner.

We remain legally a PCT and will still be referred to generically as a PCT within the Health Service, but the new name recognises the PCT’s role as local leader of the NHS.  So we will now be buliding on public goodwill towards the NHS which is inherent in the name NHS Wirral, and will continue to position ourselves at the forefront of continuous improvement and the provision of excellent health services to the people of Wirral.

On behalf of NHS Wirral I look forward to working with you in 2009 and beyond.