Health services in deprived areas of Bradford will have an extra £10 million to spend over the next three years, it was announced today.

The city has been designated a Health Action Zone by the Government and the cash will be used to address health inequalities in the poorer areas.

Health Authority chairman Dr Joan Firth said: "We are absolutely delighted with the amount of funding we are to receive.

"It reinforces the Government's support for Bradford's new way of working and recognises the strength of the partnerships within the health Action Zone."

The zone will receive £6 million over the next three years.

On top of this it has already received £1 million and expects to get that as well in the next three years - making a total of £10 million.

An authority spokesman said: "The announcement means Bradford's HAZ will be able to put its implementation plan into action in full and expects to be able to develop other new plans in addition."

In 1998/99 the authority has received £320,000 specifically to improve treatment of diabetes with the creation of 17 satellite clinics.

In addition the authority will receive £100,000 a year to pay for the running of the HAZ scheme. Altogether the Government has announced a three-year, £78 million package nationally for the 11 first-wave Health Action Zones.

The programme in Bradford and Keighley is aimed at improving lifestyles in the worst deprived areas.

Main aims are to reduce the number of cases of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and drug misuse.

Plans include new healthy living centres and campaigns to improve disease detection and health education.

There will also be a drive to improve care for patients coming out of hospital with more co-ordination between voluntary sector, NHS and social services organisations.

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