FAMILY doctors in Bolton will be plugging into cyberspace to chat with their patients from next month.

Five doctor's practices in Bolton are to pilot the town's first internet-based GP web consultation system. It is seen as a pioneering move as GPs attempt to tap into the communication revolution.

Patients will be able to book appointments and order repeat prescriptions by clicking onto the specially-designed websites.

They will be able to browse through pages of local medical advice and community health news updates.

Judith Hulton, project manager for the primary care collaborative, said: "The scope for this is massive but at first it will be a chance for patients to access services better.

"It will neither increase or decrease the workload for GPs. Instead, it should benefit the patients.

"It will also free up the telephones, which are always very busy.

"The consultations will never take the place of a visit.

"The doctor will not give advice on issues over the internet which he thinks are inappropriate, like he wouldn't give advice over the telephone on matters which were too sensitive."

The e-mails will go through a security network in order to keep information strictly confidential. Mrs Hulton said: "People's lifestyles have changed and this is a move that reflects this.

"It is the first project of its kind in Bolton but the websites have been used successfully in other practices in Manchester."

Bolton doctors who will be involved in setting up their first websites include Dr Fletcher, Dr Hardman, Dr Hunt, Dr Kirby and Dr Liversedge.

The sites will go live at the beginning of December.