HOUSEHOLDS across Bolton are to receive an alternative seasonal greeting in the Christmas post -- a health guide from Bolton's Primary Care Trust.

But the new health organisation, which was created in April, has been criticised for producing a complicated leaflet which will mean little to anyone outside the NHS.

Bolton Community Health Council, an independent watchdog, said the patient prospectus used language not easily understood by the public.

The report has cost the taxpayer £18,341 -- 14p per household -- and will be distributed to every home in Bolton before Christmas. Nationally, 24 million leaflets will be delivered.

Bolton's guide will contain details on how NHS funding has been spent locally, plans for the development of services and how local NHS organisations' performances measure up. The leaflet will also provide contact numbers for hospitals, accident and emergency departments, dentists, GPs, and NHS Direct.

It has been promoted as part of the drive to provide better information for people about health services and to encourage local people to get involved with the NHS.

Bolton GP Dr Stephen Hamilton also expressed doubts over whether the document would be understood by patients, when the leaflet was unveiled at a board meeting of the Primary Care Trust.

Pam Senior, chairman of the PCT, admitted that they had yet to learn the best way to display the information. But she said the PCT had its hands tied as the Government had drawn up the document.

She added: "I'm sure that we will be looking at this in the future. "

The prospectus, which uses words such as "stakeholder" and other official jargon, paints a gloomy picture of finances in the Bolton NHS, predicting a £6.4 million shortfall by April 2003.

Yet, the PCT pledges to improve many services, including reducing waits in A&E at the Royal Bolton Hospital and setting a target of people being able to see their GP within two working days.

However, Tim Bennett, deputy director of the PCT, defended the leaflet and said: "Patients are the most important people in the health service. We are committed to providing clear information about local services and enabling people to have more influence over the way services are delivered. The leaflet will be one mechanism that will help us to do this."

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