FRANK Dobson the Secretary of State for Health believes Chorley Hospital is leading the way with the investment of more than £1m in tele-medicine links and A&E facilities.

Mr Dobson (pictured) made the announcement at his visit to the hospital last Friday where he toured facilities and met with staff.

He learnt how medical teams from both Preston and Chorley hospitals will share, by tele-visual link up, information and expertise in treating seriously ill patients.

Pauline Fielding, Director of Nursing, believes the new technology will bring massive benefits to both patients and staff.

She said: "Specialists in either hospital can examine patients by tele-link-up and offer advice to the junior doctors or paramedics who are tending to the patients.

"This will be a fine example of partnership and joint working in practice."

Mr Dobson, added: "Both Chorley Hospital and the Royal Preston Hospital are leading the way when it comes to tele-medicine.

"Chorley offers very good facilities. It's a case of both hospitals being at the forefront of this very latest technology."

Mr Dobson was also on hand to celebrate the first anniversary of NHS Direct - the 24-hour pilot medical helpline.

He joined in the celebrations with local nurses who invited him to cut a special birthday cake baked by caterers from the hospital.

He said: "NHS Direct is something in which we hope to introduce to the rest of the country in the year 2000 on the strength of the massive success here in this region."

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