A DELEGATION from Bolton is to meet with health minister Jacqui Smith in Whitehall next week.

The town's three MPs and bosses at the Bolton Primary Care Trust are to demand more money for the town, with claims that Bolton has been underfunded by £15 million this year alone.

Ruth Kelly, MP for Bolton West said: "It is a prime opportunity for representatives from Bolton PCT to highlight the health priorities for Bolton."

Jacqui Smith, who took over the health cash reins from Lord Hunt, has agreed to the meeting on Monday. It follows pressure from Bolton health leaders about chronic underfunding of the health economy for the past decade.

They are hoping the government will redress inequalities, especially as the town has increasing numbers of patients suffering from coronary heart disease and diabetes. Evidence has been compiled, complete with a damning dossier of reports featured in the Bolton Evening News, about the Royal Bolton Hospital.

MPs Brian Iddon and David Crausby have also pressed the government for more money to improve Bolton's legacy of ill-health.

In a letter to Ms Smith, Ruth Kelly said: " Wigan and Bolton Health Authority has been one of the most under-funded Health Authorities in England. The recent replacement of the Health Authority into two Primary Care Trusts has not improved the situation for Bolton.

"Currently, Bolton PCT is 6.02 per cent below weighted capitation target for 2002/03 - which equates to a £15 million shortfall in available resources.

"Despite higher than average growth over recent years, the Bolton health economy has remained significantly under target and this trend is forecasted to continue. If this continues it will have a detrimental effect on health care in Bolton."

Ms Kelly highlighted how Bolton's acute hospital had struggled to balance its books.

She added: "Both the PCT and Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust are concerned that, without redressing inequalities, it will have a detrimental effect on the level of patient services in Bolton."