IT IS not just patients who are being helped to get better at Royal Bolton Hospital.

The BIG Bolton Health Check is taking place at the hospital this week, to encourage staff and visitors to take the test.

Hundreds of people are expected to take part in the simple 10-minute assessment which will determine their risk of developing heart disease in the next decade.

And hospital directors Beverley Andrew and Arthur Rawlinson are playing their part, by helping to carry out the tests.

The BIG Bolton Health Check aims to test 46,000 people over the age of 45 in Bolton before March next year.

The test, which involves blood pressure and cholesterol checks plus lifestyle questions, has already identified 15,500 people with more than a 20 per cent chance of developing heart problems within the next decade.

Those who have been identified as being high risk are now receiving treatment or have been advised to make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke, a move which leading Bolton doctors claim will save lives.

Anyone over 45 is entitled to a free health check by contacting their GP’s surgery or by going along to events in the community, including as bingo halls, supermarkets, pubs and cafes.