WHEN Daniel Northmore was a child, his regular visits to hospital made his life a misery.

The 18-year-old suffers from a rare genetic condition that has left him physically and mentally disabled, with a weakened immune system, and in need of frequent trips to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

That continued until five years ago, when Bolton introduced children's care in the community - and it was that care that revolutionised Daniel's life.

Because of that, his mother, 49-year-old Sylvia is backing the Bolton Evening News' Back The Baby Unit Campaign.

We want the Royal Bolton Hospital to be recognised as one of three new super centres for babies and children which are to be developed in the Greater Manchester region.

Proposals to transform Bolton into one of only three maternity, children's and neonatal super-centres are part of the £31 million scheme designed to improve services in Greater Manchester, East Cheshire and High Peak in Derbyshire.

Daniel's trip to the Royal Bolton Hospital for immune system boosting treatment has been replaced by treatment from the comfort of his own living room.

Daniel can only walk very short distances and must use a wheelchair when he ventures outside his Farnworth home so the benefits to him of home visits is substantial.

Yet, if the Royal Bolton Hospital does not become a maternity super centre, it could lose the children's care in the community scheme.

Mrs Northmore, Daniel's full-time carer, said: "It was a nightmare having to go to the hospital.

Daniel used to get very stressed in his wheelchair, whereas now he can play while he's being treated. I also have any support I need.

"Bolton should definitely become a super-centre because the service they offer is so fantastic and I totally back the Bolton Evening News campaign."

Daniel's community nurse Liz Catterall also believes Bolton is the best choice to become a centre of excellence for neonatal, maternity and children's services.

The community care team currently employs a diabetes specialist, two respiratory specialists and five nurses who can care for a wide range of conditions.

If the borough is chosen, young people's services, including those in the community, would significantly expand.

Mrs Catterall said: "This is much more relaxed for the kids and their families. It doesn't disrupt their routine.

"We care for children in the home and our aim is to keep them out of hospital."

A public consultation document can be viewed at www.bestforhealth.nhs.uk