A SENIOR doctor is among those who have expressed concerns about the planned shake-up of the local health service.

The doctor, who does not want to be named, fears it could mean cash being directed to hospitals outside the borough.

Health ministers want to merge the Fairfield Hospital complex with others in Oldham, Rochdale and North Manchester. Following three months of public consultation, the single NHS Trust could be created by 2002.

But in a leaked document written by the doctor he has expressed fears that hospital services in Bury could suffer .

The Trust receives funding of £76.6 million. But according to independent auditors Bury Health Care NHS Trust has been underfunded by £20 million per year for the last ten years.

The document, which has been sent to health officers in the borough, states: "In view of the proposed four Trust merger, the underfunding of Bury may represent a way of running down the services at that Trust to be built up at other Trusts. "If this was the case it would reflect gross incompetence on those who are planning health services in the region."

The local health watchdog body, the Community Health Council, has also expressed concerns at the proposed merger, fearing that local people may have to travel further for treatment. It has also called for more money to be pumped into the service rather than having another reorganisation.

Health bosses, however, say , the merger could save £1 million in administration costs which would be reinvested in front-line services.

Acting chairman of Bury NHS Trust, Vera Stringer, said that the proposed new Trust was the way forward in light of changes being made in the local health service.

She said: "The proposed merger has very little to do with savings. There are many changes taking place such as proposals to set up a Primary Care Trust and a Mental Health Trust where staff working for those services will be redirected to. This would make Bury Health Care NHS Trust too small to be viable and that is why it has been proposed to merge the remaining services."

Mrs Stringer said the Trust would receive a larger budget, which would be distributed by the new board.

She added: "It is anticipated that there will be a representative from Bury on the board. Fairfield will not get less money but should receive more."