AN EXCITING eight years for Bolton's Community Healthcare Trust is now set to come to an end.

Members are preparing to surrender the reigns of local power in six months -- but they took time out to reflect on past achievements at what is expected to be their final annual meeting.

Chairman of the trust, Ray Makin, spoke of the accomplishments carried out over the years as he addressed board members.

The balance of power is set to shift to Primary Care Trusts in April -- abolishing the Wigan and Bolton Health Authority and the community trust.

Details of how the government plans to make the changes have still to be revealed -- with an announcement expected any day.

Mr Makin said: "I am pleased at what we have achieved in the last eight years. I have seen many, many changes, almost without exception they have been for the good. We have achieved a high profile and recognition as a trust producing consistent quality."

The trust, set up in 1994 following the split of community and acute health services in Bolton, treats more than 3,250 patients each day with its budget increasing from £11 million in 1994 to today's £22 million.

Staff have increased from 650 to more than 1,099 -- making it one of the town's biggest employers.

Chief Executive Patrick Wallace said: "We are not content to rest on our laurels and our staff are constantly striving to improve the range and quality of services to patients they serve."

The trust regards the creation of the £2.9 million Pikes Lane Community Centre as one of its key achievements.

However, Mr Makin told the board: "We would have achieved more but the health authority and the regional department of health haven't always given us the opportunity."

But Mr Makin added: "It has been a great time. We still want to work very diligently. We are not closing the door.

Exciting

"It has been an exciting eight years and we've got six months to go and still a lot to do to ensure that those things which we hold dear will still be there."

But Mr Makin was anxious to assure staff that the Primary Care Trust would not be the "death knell" to the community trust adding: "It is the opening to development of their careers and talents."

The proposed Bolton PCT will be in charge of the purse strings for community health and hospital care. Its introduction is part of the government's aim to have more decisions made for the health service on a more local level.