GP surgeries across the borough have been provided with state-of-the-art computers.

Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT) has bought replacement equipment for the majority of practices to improve patient care.

It will give quick access to patient records, booking appointments, printing prescriptions and analysing the quality of care administered.

It also means that the Bury PCT is the first in the country to equip its GPs with a uniform system, allowing them to compare the services they offer with other surgeries.

Mr Stephen Mills, director lead for information technology at Bury PCT, said: "We have invested in new computing equipment for general practices in Bury to ensure they have access to the latest technology and can access patient information quickly during the consultation.

"Local GPs will be able to easily audit information and identify areas of health care they need to target to improve the needs of patients registered on their list."

Dr John Hampson, GP and PCT clinical lead for information management and technology, added: "Modern technology is essential to ensure GPs and their teams can continue to provide high quality care, which takes into account the needs of patients in Bury."