THE Healthier Together review has cost the Bolton taxpayer more than £700,000 in the past two years.

Doctors, health commissioners and council chiefs fielded questions from the public yesterday on the proposed shake-up of hospital care across Greater Manchester.

The cost of the review — which went to public consultation less than two weeks ago — was top of the query hit-list.

Health chiefs said the review had cost £400,000 so far this year and at least £300,000 the year before in Bolton. The sum was 0.5 per cent of the healthcare budget for Greater Manchester.

Dr Wirin Bhatiani, chairman of NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CGG), said: “When you look at the cost of Healthier Together, you have to compare it to the benefits and aspirations we are aiming for. We want better quality and better standards and to get that, you have to invest.”

The review could see the Royal Bolton become one of four or five “super hospitals” in Greater Manchester. Each of these specialist centres should be accessible within 75 minutes on public transport, according to Healthier Together standards.

Yet patient transport across Greater Manchester emerged as a concern among older residents or those with a disability.

Dr Anne Talbot, a Bolton GP sitting on the panel, said the trips across the region would only be necessary for “once in a life-time treatment”.

She added: “We’re talking about acute specialist conditions that don’t happen very often. “ The focus of Healthier Together is on hospital reform yet access to GP surgeries and local healthcare was repeatedly raised as a worry by audience members.

Pauline Lee, a governor for the Royal Bolton Hospital, said: “We know the number of people going to A&E is increasing but we also know that the number of GPs is going down and will continue to do so over the next five years.

“What plans do the CCG have to ensure that we have enough GPs and can access them on the day rather than in three weeks time?”

To complete the Healthier Together questionnaire, visit healthiertogethergm.nhs.uk or call 0800 8886789.