LOCAL health care is to receive a shot in the arm to the tune of almost £300,000. Extra nurses and an evening service for the mentally ill will be among the bonuses from the cash injection.

Bury and Rochdale Health Authority won the money by bidding for a slice of cash from three pots made available by central government.

Mr Richard Popplewell, chief executive of Bury and Rochdale Health Authority, said: "We spent a lot of time working together with local GPs, social services, clinicians and the Trust management to attract extra funds. This money will allow us to continue to put into practice the plans we have drawn up between us. "

Intensive care, mental health and after treatment care are the three areas that will benefit from the money.

Every pound put in by the Government has to be matched by a contribution from the Health Authority from their 1997/8 budget of £175 million.

The cash will mean extra nurses for intensive care where Bury falls short on national staffing requirements.

Money will also be used to extend support to people with mental health problems into the evening.

A Home Response Support Team to provide care for patients in their own home will be introduced in collaboration with social services. A community care co-ordinator will also be appointed.

"The money is a welcome boost to these three important areas of health care. It will allow development of care in the community as well as providing extra staff resources in vital acute services," said Mr Popplewell.

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