A HEALTH Minister has praised patient-centred York District Hospital's services for reflecting the spirit of the new NHS National Plan, during a visit to the city.

Yvette Cooper highlighted the hospital's colposcopy unit, the £2million redevelopment of the accident and emergency department, and the cancer care centre which was developed with the help of an Evening Press campaign.

She was shown round the colposcopy unit, where detailed examinations take place.

Nurse manager, Margaret Jackson, explained the separate unit was developed to provide a speedier service, quicker appointments and a more "women friendly" environment.

"It's a unit that's very much designed around patients," said Ms Cooper. "I think it's that mind of principle, here in York, that reflects what we are doing in the national plan."

She acknowledged that plan was "very ambitious" but said the Government could deliver.

Ms Cooper praised the work of the new "heart tsar", former York specialist Roger Boyle, on drawing up the National Framework for Coronary Heart Disease.