A DOCTOR claims heart attack patients are being put at risk by being forced to stay on normal hospital wards, because there are not enough beds on Bolton's cardiac support unit.

Dr Ken Hearn, a long-standing heart specialist in the town, is throwing his weight behind the BEN's adopted charity appeal to raise £1 million to build a new coronary care unit by 2003.

Dr Hearn, a consultant at the hospital for over 20 years, admitted that it was "a sad reflection of the times" that Bolton people are once again being urged to dig deep into their own pockets to fund the new unit.

The BEN has joined forces with the Royal Bolton Hospital to raise cash to build a brand new 10-bed specialist ward to save more lives.

In 1969, Bolton people raised £30,000 to provide a four bed CCU, which later became a six bed unit.

Dr Hearn, now a part-time consultant, said: "This is now grossly inadequate. We need more space.

"It is a sad reflection that we need to ask the public. The people of Bolton have been very generous in the past.

"It's a pity that the health service can not provide these things without going to others for help.

"But the space we have now is inadequate and we have to expand and we need new equipment which the NHS can't afford."

Patients are nursed on the CCU after being brought into the hospital through accident and emergency.

However, if beds are full in the intensive nursing unit, patients have to stay in less specialised wards, such as on the medical assessment unit.

Dr Hearn said: "The first 48 hours after a heart attack is a difficult and dangerous time for the patient.

"Unfortunately, at the moment, some of the patients are forced to stay on the Medical Admissions Unit as there are not enough beds in the coronary care unit.

"Other ward beds are less suited to nursing heart attack patients.

"Primarily, this unit will save lives."

CCU has saved thousands of lives in Bolton since it opened in 1969.

Even 33 years ago, coronary heart disease was recognised as one of Bolton's biggest killers.

Today, it remains a major health problem as the town holds one of the worst records for heart attacks in the country.

Bolton people are now being urged to take part in fund-raising events, raffles and collections to give Bolton people a brighter future.