A NEW national campaign is being harnessed in Bolton to help improve how health care is delivered in the town.

Boltonians aged between 40 and 75 are being asked to take to the internet for the sake of their health as part new Public Health England campaign One You.

The national initiative is providing tools, support and encouragement towards improving health and reducing the chances of becoming ill in later life.

The campaign is being backed by Bolton's local authorities as part of plans to reduce a predicted funding gap of £2 billion in Greater Manchester's health and social care by 2020.

Cllr Linda Thomas is the deputy leader of Bolton Council, with executive cabinet responsibility for children’s and adult services.

A major part of her job is focused on health matters and she is also the chairman of Bolton’s health and wellbeing board.

She explained: "Unhealthy lifestyles contribute to around 40 per cent of deaths in this country, thus costing the NHS billions of pounds each year.

"And with diminishing budgets both nationally and locally, something has to be done to try and reduce that enormous spend."

As a result, there has been a switch in focus on to how the public can take charge of their own health and help reduce pressures on our health services.

The message is part of the move towards the region's authorities taking control of a £6 billion NHS and social care budget.

"Last year Bolton was part of a landmark agreement which saw 10 local authorities and 37 NHS organisations in Greater Manchester taking charge of health and social care spending and decisions from central Government," Cllr Thomas added.

"Since then each borough has produced a The Locality Plan, which sets out priorities for the next five years: what we want to achieve and how we propose to do it. Doing it locally means we should be able to achieve better results with less money."

At the heart of the One You campaign is a free How Are You? quiz looking at your overall health, from how you feel and who depends on you, to the food you eat and your exercise.

Bolton News reporter and mum-of-two Joanne Rowe, aged 50, from Ramsbottom, tried the test for herself.

She said: "The survey was very easy to navigate, taking you through the pages step by step and looking at all aspects of my lifestyle.

"In some respects it was reassuring as it told me I am eating healthily and drinking within recommended limits. It didn’t even tell me off for munching the odd bag of crisps.

"However, I did find it a bit patronising. I don’t need to be praised for never having smoked and it is not rocket science to be advised to do more exercise when you don’t do much to start with.

"It was also concerning that the programme assumed I am overweight even though I did not click the box which asked whether I am bothered about fitting into my jeans!

"The survey was quick and there was advice and a health “score” at the end, but I think it is too simplistic and did not really tell me anything I did not already know.

"I would pay more attention to advice given one-to-one by my doctor following a fuller health check."

The quiz is for or over 18s only and is only designed to point a person in the right direction, rather than an actual medical assessment.

It is hoped to encourage people into making small changes which can prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease, and reduce the risk of suffering a stroke or living with dementia, disability and frailty in later life.

In addition, the campaign is supporting the 'fight back to a healthier you' with advice on health checks, smoking, dieting, exercise, sleep, coping with stress, weight loss and sexual health.

Top find out more visit www.nhs.uk/oneyou.