THE future of Bolton's baby and children's super-centre is to be decided by a panel of experts.

After winning the battle to be named as one of the region's three centres of excellence for neonatal, baby and children's services, hospital bosses must now await the outcome of a review into the decision by the Independent Reconfiguration Panel.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt referred the decision to the panel, which was founded in 2003 to advise the Government on contested proposals for health service change.

The review was launched yesterday.

It follows strong campaigning by MPs in Salford, Bury, Rochdale and Trafford, where the maternity units are earmarked for closure.

Among the campaigners have been Hazel Blears, MP for Salford and the Labour Party chairman, and Ivan Lewis, MP for Bury South and the health minister in charge of maternity services.

Dr Peter Barrett, panel chairman, said: "As part of the review, we will listen to interested parties from all sides of the debate.

"Our job is to provide recommendations to the Secretary of State that offer people high-quality, accessible, safe and sustainable healthcare services. Our key focus will therefore be on the patient and the quality of patient care. We will also consider the local impact of these proposals within the context of wider national policy objectives."

Thousands of people supported The Bolton News' Back The Baby Unit campaign, calling for the Royal Bolton Hospital to be named as one of the centres of excellence.

If the decision is backed, an additional £10 million will be pumped into the hospital's yearly budget. And hospital staff are confident the original decision will be upheld.

The members of the panel visited the hospital yesterday and it is expected they will return before the review is completed.

Gail Naylor, head of midwifery at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said: "We hope the original decision will be upheld and we're carrying on with our plans.

"We haven't put anything on hold."