IT remains to be seen whether the devolution deal that will see Greater Manchester control its entire £6bn NHS budget is a good idea or not.

In the announcement by NHS England, Cllr Cliff Morris, Lead on Health at Greater Manchester Combined Authority, said "This is about people more than pounds. But in doing so, it will reduce the cost to the public purse over time as a healthier population reduces pressure on health and social care services."

Bearing in mind that Monitor was called into the Royal Bolton Hospital to investigate its financial position when Cllr Morris was chairman, this will not encourage the public to believe that this will benefit Bolton or even Greater Manchester which is predominantly Labour controlled.

R Swindells

Bolton