A NEW health scrutiny committee has sought assurances that at least half the Hulton Hospital site will be preserved for health care when it is closed.

The Deane-based hospital is facing the axe because many of its 16 buildings, some of which date back to 1908, are in need of major repair or demolition.

Bolton Council's health scrutiny committee has largely endorsed proposals to close the hospital, which treats long stay elderly patients, set out by Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust.

The committee considered the formal consultation document for the closure of the hospital and endorsed its recommendations that some of the site was retained for medical purposes with funds from any sale of the rest ploughed back into health care.

Committee chairman Cllr Ebrahim Adia said: "The committee has asked for confirmation that at least 50 per cent of the hospital site would be retained for health care purposes and that where possible the capital receipts from any sale of the rest of the site would be used for health care in Bolton.

"The fact that this very significant issue was up for discussion at our first meeting highlights the important role that this committee has to play in the borough."

The Health Scrutiny Committee, which has just been formed to give council members the opportunity to review and make recommendations on major health issues in the borough.

Powers to establish Health Scrutiny Committees were given to councils by the Government in January. They must be consulted by health bodies when there is a plan to make a significant variation in provision.

A NEW health scrutiny committee has sought assurances that at least half the Hulton Hospital site will be preserved for health care when it is closed.

The Deane-based hospital is facing the axe because many of its 16 buildings, some of which date back to 1908, are in need of major repair or demolition.

Bolton Council's health scrutiny committee has largely endorsed proposals to close the hospital, which treats long stay elderly patients, set out by Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust.

The committee considered the formal consultation document for the closure of the hospital and endorsed its recommendations that some of the site was retained for medical purposes with funds from any sale of the rest ploughed back into health care.

Committee chairman Cllr Ebrahim Adia said: "The committee has asked for confirmation that at least 50 per cent of the hospital site would be retained for health care purposes and that where possible the capital receipts from any sale of the rest of the site would be used for health care in Bolton.

"The fact that this very significant issue was up for discussion at our first meeting highlights the important role that this committee has to play in the borough."

The Health Scrutiny Committee, which has just been formed to give council members the opportunity to review and make recommendations on major health issues in the borough.

Powers to establish Health Scrutiny Committees were given to councils by the Government in January. They must be consulted by health bodies when there is a plan to make a significant variation in provision.

FACING CLOSURE: Hulton hospital