A MAN who has worked for and on behalf of the people of Bolton on the health front has decided to call it a day and concentrate on his "daytime" job. Mike Chapman, headteacher of Brandwood County Primary School is a former member of the old Bolton Health Authority, former Chairman of Bolton Community Health Council and a non executive director of Wigan and Bolton Health Authority. But he is now giving up health work for education.

Mike said: "I am quite simply interested in the old fashioned idea of public service."

As a headteacher in the Daubhill district of Bolton, Mike, in common with many others, believes the natural links between health and education and housing should lie at the heart of future policy.

As a former member of the health authority when it just covered Bolton and its primary task was managing the hospitals, Mike has watched the changes of recent years with more than a little interest.

When councillors and trade union reps were ousted from the health authority in 1986, Mike moved swiftly on to Bolton CHC and after a period of time as a voluntary member was appointed chairman.

Mike said: "This was without a doubt a superb experience, the width and scope of people's knowledge and their ability to look at all aspects of health services is something I continue to have great admiration for."

In 1996, Mike declared himself "pleased" if "not somewhat surprised" to be invited on to the board of the newly merged Wigan and Bolton Health Authority.

Since his appointment he has taken particular responsibility for the provision of services for the mentally ill.

He said: "For too long this has been the Cinderella service in the NHS, but I'm pleased to note recent developments within both Bolton and Wigan which I believe will make a great difference.

"We've certainly come a long way, but there's a lot further to go. What we really need to address is the education of the public in mental illness as there's a great deal of misunderstanding abroad which leads to many problems."

In common with others who play their part in the health scene, Mike's greatest frustration is the consistent underfunding of health services in Bolton and Wigan.

The latest official figures show the authority remains more than £14 million underfunded and is an ongoing situation which continues to go unaddressed.

He added: "Despite year on year increases in funding, there's no getting away from the fact that we remain chronically underfunded which is an absolute disgrace.

"We will never achieve all we want and need until the Government addresses this issue and I feel very angry indeed that we should be in this position."

Although it's been a tough decision for Mike to take, his stepping down from the health authority has been an inevitable decision.

He said: "As a headteacher I simply don't have the time to do justice to my non executive role. To say I have enjoyed the years is an understatement. There have been and no doubt will continue to be very frustrating times, but it has been a privilege and a challenge."

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