HEALTH bosses in Bolton spent £183,000 on controversial ‘personal health budgets’ last year.

The budgets were introduced by the Government to allow people with long-term conditions and disabilities greater choice and control over the healthcare and support they receive.

NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group set out a £183,000 budget for 2014 to 2015.

All of the money spent went on home care packages for five patients, which includes washing, dressing and addressing patients hygiene needs.

Dr Wirin Bhatiani, Chair of NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Personal health budgets are offered to all those who are eligible. At present, only a small number of patients in Bolton have chosen this option.

"They receive support in deciding how to use this funding and are reviewed on a regular basis.

“NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group has a responsibility to manage public money carefully. Expenditure on personal health budgets is closely monitored and we carry out a thorough audit each year.”

This year's budget was divided up with £113, 000 going towards paying for agency staff and the remaining £70,000 helping to employ personal assistants.

Bolton CCG has set aside £297,000 for next year's personal health budget but has no forecast for the number of patients likely to apply for the money.

The amount of money available varies from person to person, depending on patient needs, and expenditure is decided through a care plan developed with the help of an NHS team or GP.

Since the pilot was launched in October, the scheme has been criticised for drawing money away from vital health services, such as local care centres, to fund the budget.

A Freedom of Information Act by industry magazine Pulse to find out what personal health budgets were being spent on in other boroughs in England fuelled further controversy.

Among the expenditures were a satnav, new clothes, an iRobot cleaner, construction of a summer house and a holiday with a dog.