NO politicians have been able to find a magic wand to solve the problems faced by the National Health Service in meeting the needs of all patients effectively in the shortest possible time.

And few would envy those tasked to manage an NHS in which resources are stretched to the limit and beyond as they struggle to meet all kinds of waiting list targets set by the government.

The principle of NHS patients being sent for surgical procedures in private hospitals has operated successfully for some time as a way of getting waiting lists down and making use of otherwise underused facilities in the private sector.

Beardwood Hospital is easily accessible and Gisburne Park Hospital is fairly convenient for most people in East Lancashire although not well served by public transport.

But as Hyndburn MP Greg Pope says it seems crazy that East Lancashire hospital bosses have signed a deal with private hospitals in isolated Barrow-in-Furness.

It is difficult to think of any elderly or infirm people who would relish travelling so far.

If there are under-used hospital facilities in the area they should be closed down and moved to where the people are rather than expecting patients to make such a ridiculous trek.