PEOPLE with long-term health conditions can opt to take control of their care.

Bolton's health chiefs are reminding people with long term illnesses or health conditions that they can apply for personal health budgets so they can '"buy in" the care and equipment to suit their needs and lifestyle ­— rather than them fitting their life around the services available.

Personal health budgets will become the "default" option for those with continuing healthcare needs from next April, but they are available now.

At a recent Bolton Clinical Care Commissioning Group (CCG) board meeting, a patient case study was shared to illustrate the "massive difference" personal health budgets can make.

Jane Bradford, clinical director governance and safety at the CCG said: "This patient's story is quite an inspiring story, it is a about a young gentleman who has cerebral palsy and has been able to make use of having a personal health budget.

"In terms of the personal health budget, it's been important in ensuring his basic needs have been met, it's allowed him to go to mainstream education and undertake hobbies.

"It has enabled him to develop friends and contribute ideas for the community.

"In essence this young gentleman has had many challenges but the use of the personal health budget had enabled him to maximise potential in terms of interests he can do, support form his family and carers and has helped in both health, education and social needs."

The young man, who is only identified as M, is dependent on a wheelchair. He could speak until the age of seven or eight and then started to use a Lightwriter for communication until he was about 15 soon after he was unable to use his hands for typing and at the age of 16 started to use his Eye Gaze computer for communication and for school work in Turton School and then when he moved to college. He is now considering his options for further education.

He requires assistance with day to day living, but this has not stopped him from enjoying his interests. He was active in the Octagon youth theatre up to the age of 14 and is Bolton Wanderers fan attending home and away matches and went to watch the World Cup in Russia.

And health bosses say that having a personal health budget has been an essential part of the support he has received to ensure his basic needs are met and allow him to attend mainstream education and develop his hobbies and interests. Flexible care support means that the parents other family responsibilities, such as supporting his brother, can be taken care of too.

Using the personal health care budget has not just provided care but allowed him to to contribute ideas, including research on access in football grounds and was asked to contribute to research for UEFA on its preparation for the 2020 Euros.

Ms Bradford said: "Anybody since 2014 can apply if they are eligible for continuing health care

“I think it is important that people are aware of this and I don’t think there is awareness of that in the community and it can make a massive difference in terms of thing being less rigid being more flexible and suiting lifestyle needs.”