REGIONAL health chiefs have told local health authorities to fork out money to help cash-strapped trusts.

But the chief executive of Bury and Rochdale Health Authority says practical and financial help has already been given.

At a top level meeting of the North West Regional NHS Executive on Friday emergency care was cited as hospitals' main responsibility and local health authorities were asked to find money to help with problems such as the bed shortage in Bury's hospitals.

A spokesman for the executive said: "an exploratory meeting to look at cash problems and emergency medical care in the area was held between health authorities, trusts and GPs.

"During the course of the meeting it was decided that the health authorities should make the cash they have available to the Trusts. This does not necessarily mean the health authorities have any spare cash, but they should let the Trusts know what they do have."

Mr Richard Popplewell, chief executive of Bury and Rochdale Health Authority said: "We do help where possible. Our financial situation means we have already given a great deal of assistance to Bury Trust. This will be shown at next Wednesday's authority meeting when we will produce figures that show what has been given over the last year.

"The meeting was useful in ensuring all parties work together. We accept that the Health Authority needs to help the Trust but the Trust also needs to help itself."

Mr Phillip Bacon, chief executive of Bury NHS Health Care Trust said: "The meeting made it clear that that money must be found. We have said all along that that the provision of emergency care is our main responsibility."

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