ON reading a recent article (January 2) and letter (January 7) in The Bolton News about Bolton Primary Care Trust's proposals for new health developments around the borough, I felt it was important that I should clarify certain points and provide some reassurance.

Already many Bolton GP practices, large and small, are housed in health centres, where there may be several separate practices.

Each practice retains its own patient list, ensuring continuity of care and a personal relationship between staff and patients.

Where new, larger health centres are built we expect that GP practices currently housed in existing health centres will want to move into the new premises.

In addition, there will be options for other practices, which may currently be in old, cramped or unsuitable accommodation, to make the move into modern, purpose-built facilities. The new, larger centres will also have scope for a much wider range of local health services that cannot be provided in individual GP practices.

A patient's right to choose which practice to register with, and which GP within that practice they wish to consult, will not change.

There are no plans to replace GPs with nurses. Alongside our plans for increasing the number of GPs, we will encourage the increasing use of nursing and other health professionals' skills where this is appropriate. This will free up GPs' time to do the work that only a doctor can do, and also realise the full potential of other health care professionals.

We welcome all comments on our proposals, but it is important that comments are based on a fair and accurate understanding of the plans. We are genuinely listening to people's views and we understand people's wish to have a close ongoing relationship with their own doctor. We believe that our plans will encourage and enhance this relationship, not diminish it.

Copies of the consultation document outlining our proposals are available by calling 01204 462200, and there is more information on the website www.bolton.nhs.uk/buildinghealth

I will be happy to meet any local GP for a one-to-one discussion of the proposals.

Tim Evans, Chief Executive, Bolton Primary Care Trust