THE reorganisation of the NHS in Bolton will cost the town nearly £19 million.

The figure – the cost to Bolton PCT of implementing the changes brought about by the Government’s Health and Social Care Act – was revealed at a full meeting of Bolton Council on Wednesday night.

Asked by Labour councillor Champak Mistry what the cost of the reorganisation was, the council deputy leader Cllr Linda Thomas said it would cost the UK “a staggering” £3.45 billion.

Cllr Thomas added that the exact cost to Bolton would be £18,906,908.

She added: “This is why we advised and fought against the Bill.

“We now feel we must defend the NHS in order that it does not fall into an American style system.”

Cllr Thomas said she feared that in the future, half of patients treated at Royal Bolton Hospital could be private patients.

She said this would put further pressures on the hospital.

Cllr Thomas, who is the Labour spokesperson for health in Bolton, added: “Just think what we could have done with that £19 million.

“It is a staggering amount of money. When we are all being asked to tighten our belts, it is absolutely criminal.”

The town hall meeting also heard that “perceived high parking costs” and over-zealous traffic wardens were to blame for Bolton’s struggling town centre.

Cllr John Walsh, leader of Bolton Conservatives, called on the council to restore the “viability and vitality of Bolton town centre”.

He said there was a need for more parking spaces at Bolton Market and said redevelopment of the Central Street site was needed.

His motion was defeated by the Bolton’s ruling Labour group.

Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris said that belittling Bolton was putting the jobs of 20,000 town centre workers at risk.

He added: “Bolton town centre is actually doing okay compared to many town centres in the current economic climate.”