MONTHS of top-level talks to thrash out NHS contracts have led to a wave of new health service developments in East Lancashire.

Health bosses and "provider" NHS trusts are putting the finishing touches to lengthy negotiations to secure services for 1997/98.

East Lancashire Health Authority, which purchases the healthcare of the district's 500,000 people, has a budget of more than £250 million and has negotiated deals with 25 NHS trusts in the north.

The three major contracts are with both the Blackburn and Burnley NHS Trusts and CommuniCare. Others include contracts with hospitals in Leeds, Lancaster, Airedale and Blackpool.

Among the service developments this year are:

A new £280,000 contract with Royal Preston which will allow some East Lancashire cancer patients to use the new radiotherapy unit. About £65,000 of the contract is covered by a fall in patient activity at the Christie Hospital.

A new evening shift at Accrington Haemodialysis Unit where kidney patients are treated.

An investment of £104,000 to develop a new wheelchair service, which has been agreed with the Preston Trust.

New guidelines to treat back pain which have cost £106,000 and will be developed in Blackburn and Burnley hospitals..

Extension of hospital at home scheme to cover Hyndburn, Blackburn and Darwen.

Extra orthodontic consultant sessions.

Funding for respiratory specialist nurse in Burnley.

The health authority has withdrawn cash from a number of hospitals where patient activity has fallen in the past year, including in Blackpool, Rochdale and Wrightington.

Resources have been shifted to NHS trusts where patient activity has risen, including Bradford, North Manchester and Central Manchester.

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