AN AMBITIOUS bid for a new specialist theatre for eye operations in Bolton has been shortlisted.

Health chiefs at the Royal Bolton Hospital say they are down to the last seven bidding from a national £20 million pot in the Government's Action on Cataracts.

They have asked for £600,000 to fund a second ophthalmic theatre at the hospital to cope with increasing demand.

The bid comes just weeks after the BEN revealed the hospital was sending up to 400 patients to private hospitals for cataract operations so it could meet waiting list targets.

But the new theatre would mean most patients would get through the system -- from referral to the completion of the operation -- in six months.

It would also mean the hospital would be able to double the number of operations they get through, building to around an extra 1,500 each year.

Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust had full guidance from the NHS Executive on how to put forward its proposals and hopes to hear if they will be successful soon.

Chief executive for the trust, Mr John Brunt, said: "We have gone on the regional shortlist which is good news, but it doesn't mean we are actually there yet."

Bosses say the biggest problem in Bolton is access to theatre and if they had more facilities they would be able to achieve waiting list targets.

The new theatre would be built alongside the existing one, which was designed in such a way another theatre could be easily attached.

Plans have already been drawn-up, but the contract will not be put out to tender until they know the bid has been successful.

The money, however, would not include the cost of equipment and the hospital would have to look at its own resources to make up the shortfall.

Mr Brunt added: "We have been told they will probably look to fund or at least part fund all seven shortlisted and we may have to dip into our own capital resources.

"It is great news we have got over another hurdle and we are now pretty optimistic we will get some funding, although we don't know how much."

The eye unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital has a national reputation for high quality and was awarded the prestigious Charter Mark in 1998 for the service it gives.

If the bid is successful, it is hoped the funding will be received in 2000/01 financial year. The theatre will then be ready for use some time during the following year.

MP for Bolton South-east, Brian Iddon, has given his support to the bid in the House of Commons.

He said: "I am pleased they have been shortlisted and I have very high hopes. Bolton is a centre of excellence so it should get the money to build a new theatre. It would save a lot of patients travelling by minibus to Southport and let them have the operation in their home town near their families."