BURY'S health bosses have promised a £3 million boost for the town's patients.

The Bury NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) is allocating more money for prescription drugs, enabling more people to receive the treatments they need.

The move was welcomed by Dr Peter Elton, Bury's Director of Public Health, who said it would improve the health of people in the town. The money will go into the general practitioner prescribing budget and is designed to improve care.

Among the areas to benefit are:

£500,000 for the cost of 'statins', drugs which lower the cholesterol levels. The money will ensure another 2,000 people receive the treatment they need and result in fewer heart attacks and premature deaths.

£300,000 for the cost of drugs to lower blood pressure. The money will ensure about 500 new patients can be treated and more intensive treatment for another 500 existing patients.

£200,000 for the cost of aspirin-type drugs, enabling 1,000 new patients can be treated resulting in fewer heart attacks, strokes and premature deaths.

£300,000 for the cost of drugs for diabetics, ensuring about 100 newly-diagnosed diabetics are treated and more intensive treatment is given to about 100 existing diabetics, resulting in fewer complications.

£70,000 to ensure that 280 new patients will receive drugs to help strengthen their bones.

£250,000 to pay for modern drugs for patients who suffer from schizophrenia.