PATIENTS are being given the chance to have their say on the multi-million pound plans to transform health care across the borough.

Over the next few years, up to £40 million is being injected into Bury's health services creating new 'one-stop-health-shops' and refurbishing existing facilities.

The plans aim to bring a wider and more convenient range of health and social care services closer to home, reduce waiting times for treatments and tests, modern buildings and closer working between health services and other agencies, including social services, to co-ordinate patient care.

To find out the views of patients in the borough, all households registered with a GP will soon be receiving a leaflet through the post informing them about the changes and asking for their opinions and how current services could be improved.

Local meetings will also be held in the future as the plans are developed.

Evan Boucher, chief executive for Bury PCT, said: "We want to improve local health services in Bury and, where safe and appropriate to do so, provide a range of services all under one roof. In the future patients could expect to see their GP and access other services including pharmacy services, social services, outpatient facilities, physiotherapy and diagnostic tests such as a simple x-ray, all from the same building.

"I would encourage all local people to give their views and help to shape these exciting developments."