ROSSENDALE'S MP Janet Anderson is backing a health watchdog's protest over the planned closure of a hospital ward for the elderly mentally ill in Rawtenstall.

The Government minister has come out against Burnley Health Trust's plan to use only half the savings from the closure of the ward to pay for alternative services for the mentally ill in the community.

And she says she will take up the issue with the Secretary of State for Health Frank Dobson who will ultimately decide whether to approve the trust's controversial changes.

Burnley Community Health Council, while in favour of the closure, has lodged an official objection to the plan on the grounds that only half the £280,000 savings at Rossendale General will go to fund the community scheme - with the remainder will be used to finance other mental health services such as the prescription of new expensive drug treatments.

In her letter to the CHC, Mrs Anderson says she is "happy" o support them and to make representations on their behalf.

Trust chief executive David Chew said the situation was not ideal but the end result would be a far better service for the elderly mentally ill.

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