MENTAL health patients will get a better deal when a new health trust gets up and running.

Bolton, Salford and Trafford will join together to form a new NHS organisation to deal specifically with mental health services.

The new trust will provide health and social care for adults, including alcohol and drug services, provide secure and specialist services, and support joint working with the NHS, social services, local councils, voluntary organisations and the private sector.

The three boroughs have been working together for the past 12 months, but now have the go-ahead from Health Minister Jacqui Smith to become a statutory body.

Neil Goodwin, chief executive of the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority, said: "The creation of this new trust will give a much sharper focus on mental illness and mental health services across the area, and provide an opportunity for users of services to come much more involved in their development."

He said the trust had taken what works well from each of the three area, then brought them together.

A public consultation was carried out over the last 12 weeks where members of the public had their chance to air their views.

The new trust will be established on April 1.