I WAS very angry when I read H Horne's remarks (Letters, September 9) which accused me of being on the board of the Burnley Healthcare Trust as a "nice little earner."

In fact, I believe his remarks were libellous, but contrary to his assertions, I probably could not afford the court action he so richly deserves.

I have had a successful working life as a community worker and college lecturer in social care and I would not dream of carrying out public service for financial reasons. That is a slur on my integrity, which is totally unjust.

He casts aspersions on the method of appointment of Trust board members, yet he has never seen our qualifications and experience nor scrutinised what is a fair and accountable process which requires appropriate qualifications and background to even qualify for an interview.

As a board member on the Healthcare Trust, I have given 100 per cent effort, far beyond mere attendances at the board meetings which he cynically tries to portray as our only contribution.

In fact, all board members are heavily involved in running the hospital trust, as he well knows.

Recently, for example, I have been involved in setting up a summer playscheme for children of hospital staff.

Mr Horne is a member of the Community Health Council and recently spent several days at the annual conference in Eastbourne at taxpayers' expense. Are we allowed to question the value of his attendance and how long he spent strolling on the promenade? Can we also examine just what contribution he makes to the delivery of health services in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale?

Do patients really benefit from him sitting as an observer through each board meeting and, at the end, standing up and attacking people who are doing their best under pressure in the NHS?

I have watched him manage to upset numerous hardworking members of the board and hospital staff who are trying to see that people get decent healthcare when they need it.

At the recent Trust Board annual meeting, Peter Pike MP congratulated board members and staff for delivering the best service possible. What exactly has Mr Horne contributed to these services?

He sets himself up as a pseudo-guardian of healthcare, but all he ever does is carp and snipe at those engaged in the real work.

Of course, after firing his blanks he then retires behind his ex-directory telephone. What an easy life!

KATH READE, Moseley Road, Burnley.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.