The Trust and Principal Medical Limited (PML) made a formal commitment this week to continue working together to provide and deliver community healthcare services in Oxfordshire. 

The Trust and PML have a longstanding productive and positive working relationship.  PML currently provides medical staff to the Trust’s services, including the Oxfordshire GP Out of Hours Service and medical cover for five of the Trust’s Oxfordshire Community Hospitals.  In partnership, the two organisations deliver community based Hospital at Home and Case Management services within particular areas of the county.

Senior Executives from OHFT and PML met this week to confirm their commitment to develop this relationship.  They signed a collaboration agreement which demonstrates the two organisations’ willingness to work together on joint projects.  This could potentially include further development of the GP Out of Hours service and integration of locality based care.

Julie Waldron, Chief Executive, said “We have had a number of helpful meetings with PML to discuss areas of healthcare provision which are of mutual interest to us.  We are keen to work collaboratively with local primary care providers who have an understanding of the Oxfordshire area and the local communities.  This is particularly important for our community health services.  Our relationship with PML has been incredibly successful to date and the signing of this agreement is a significant development in our working relationship.  It seals our intention to work more closely with each other to provide our existing services as well as exploring potential opportunities for working collaboratively in the future.”

Dr John Harrison, PML Chairman said “PML is committed to working with local clinicians to deliver high quality patient care within a range of community based healthcare services.  We believe that the collaboration between the two organisations will bring a modern and dynamic approach and along with our shared experience and knowledge we will develop and improve local services for the benefit of patients across Oxfordshire.”

Dr John Harrison, PML Chairman (pictured left) and Mr Mike McEnaney, Director of Finance, for the Trust (pictured right) sign the agreement