EAST Lancashire Health Authority will get a new consultant as part of a government promise to boost the NHS.

Health minister John Hutton yesterday announced that 124 new nurse, midwife and health visitor consultant posts were being established within the NHS this year.

Describing them as 'important new leadership positions', Mr Hutton said those appointed would be the most experienced and expert practitioners.

Seven NHS organisations in the north west have been approved to appoint new consultants with East Lancashire Health Authority set to appoint one in health protection and infection control.

It is understood the post brings an annual salary of up to £45,000 to lure fitting applicants.

Mr Hutton said: "Approving these additional posts represents a further step in our plans to liberate the talents of frontline staff.

"These new posts will help unlock the potential of some of the most experienced of our nurses, midwives and health visitors, who are crucial to delivery of the NHS Plan.

"It is right that we should use their knowledge and skills to the full and that they should enjoy career opportunities which enable the most experienced and expert practitioners to continue to do what they came into the profession to do -- care for patients, clients and communities.

"The new consultant posts enable them to do just that."