HEALTH bosses have gone "on line" in a bid to keep the people of Bolton in touch.

And it could eventually mean "live" face-to-face communication between Internet users and health staff.

Bolton Community Healthcare Trust has launched the new website so that members of the public with access to a computer can "surf" services and gain instant access to a mass of information.

The website can be found at www.communityhealthcarebolton.co.uk and is designed to build closer links and a greater understanding between trust personnel and the 268,0000 Bolton area people who use the services.

The trust provides a range of services including district nurses, health visitors, family planning, general health clinics, rapid response nursing, psychiatry and psychology.

Patients and service users who have access to the Internet will be able to get information on everything from clinic opening hours, the range of services available, latest trust developments, dietary advice and news of exercise, quitting smoking and healthy living programmes.

The trust is one of the first in the North-west to launch its own website. In time, it is hoping to add an exchange facility which will allow patients to talk on-line to health workers.

The trust's finance director John Critchley, said: "Because of the diverse nature of the Community Healthcare Trust it is imperative that we communicate with people on every level.

"Many people use the Internet for gathering information and now they can gain a greater understanding of the service we offer by going on line.

"In time we hope to develop the site further in partnership with the community which truly meets users' needs."

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