AN EXTRA £1 billion has been promised by Chancellor Gordon Brown to overhaul the NHS, but extra cash will not solve Bolton's health problems overnight, a leading medic has warned.

Dr David Dennard, chairman of Bolton's Medical Committee, is calling for greater health stability for the town.

He remains sceptical that the newly-formed Primary Care Trust for Bolton -- which will take over from the health authority in spring -- will be enough to tackle the town's growing health needs.

The Government has pledged to publicly-fund the NHS, revealed in Gordon Brown's pre-budget statement this week, signalling a rise in taxes from next year.

Bolton has not yet received it's health monies for the next year, but the promise of a rise has been welcomed by Dr Dennard.

He hopes extra funds will be ploughed into improving GP services in the town and channelled into primary care.

However, the cash-strapped Royal Bolton Hospital -- facing a large budget overspend by April -- will be hoping to receive a large slice of the extra cash as well.

Pamela Senior will be in control of the health purse from April, as chairman designate for the Bolton Primary Care Trust.

She has declined to speak on the pre-budget announcement, reserving her comments until Bolton's cash allocation is announced in the New Year.

Although, as reported in the BEN, Mrs Senior has already pledged to fight for more cash for the town describing the Royal Bolton Hospital as "grossly underfunded".

The pre-budget report also closed the door on greater private investments as the answer to the NHS problems.

The Royal Bolton Hospital already pays the Beaumont Hospital to carry out some of its operations to cut waiting list times.

Dr Dennard, a leading GP in the town for the past 30 years, said: "I have no problems about using private facilities, although some people are strongly against this idea.

"Some of my patients are now treated on the NHS at the Beaumont Hospital. It is more efficient way to use resources.

"People want more money for the health service, but then do not want to pay for it through taxation. Taxes will just have to go up, you can't have it both ways.

"The PCT's have not yet been fully constituted so it is unclear what their role will be in the town. But we are going to experience a lot of change in the health service structure in Bolton. This isn't necessarily a good thing. There is no stability. Incessant change doesn't help anybody."

Dr Dennard has been raising the profile of the doctors plight in Bolton after claiming the town's family GPs are under too much pressure.

He added: "Of course, I want some of the money to go towards primary care. It would make the job a lot easier.

"But a few million pounds will not solve all our problems overnight."