THE report about the new super health centres (December 29) is good news on the face of it, but it does raise some important questions:

1. Where is the finance coming from to employ all the extra staff needed in the centres?

There is already a shortage of experienced nurses at the Royal Bolton Hospital and no doubt those who are there will want to move to the new centres for better pay and conditions.

2. Where is the money coming from to pay for all the extra equipment for X-rays, scans and other tests and the staff to operate it?

There is already a shortage of radiologists, and even if that was not the case, the hospital cannot afford to employ them to operate the existing MRI scanner full time.

Furthermore, the provision of X-rays and scans at the health centres will result in the duplication of equipment and staff because the hospital will still need those facilities.

It is clear that the Government will not provide the extra funding because they have refused to fund the historic debts.

Perhaps one of our MPs or the Primary Care Trust can inform the public.

R Swindells

Bolton