FOR some years, parts of East Lancashire had health records which were so bad that they frequently featured in league tables - for the worst rather than the best reasons.

Part of the problem was that without a big city population, we did not have big city resources.

This made getting treatment for some conditions a lengthy business as you were referred to local hospitals and then in turn to regional centres which had to treat patients from a wide geographical area.

If you were ill, travelling to such a centre for sometimes fairly short consultations could be a very real ordeal.

It also meant the system of administration was complex and cumbersome because the unit had to deal with people from a wide geographical area.

Recent changes like the merger of Blackburn and Burnley health trusts, which comes into effect in April next year, promises an end to such problems and is indeed a welcome move.

As the chief executive of the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, John Thomas, says today, the reorganisation of hospital services on the basis of a population of 500,000 means "the widest range of acute hospital services" will be available locally.

It will also mean the area will have more clout in attracting new facilities and, vitally importantly, attracting the very best professionals to come and work in them.

We already know that a great quality of life exists in East Lancashire with its beautiful countryside and easy access to cities like Manchester, Bradford, Leeds and Liverpool.

This, combined with some excellent hospital departments, could provide just the right mix to attract medics who will make our medical facilities second to none.

It is encouraging to hear how optimistic Mr Thomas is for the future.

Let us hope 'big' really does prove to be better.