A SPOT check by health watchdogs on the day-surgery unit at Rossendale General Hospital found everything was fine - except that it had no patients.

That, they were told, was most unusual. Normally, the ward was full.

But it made the unannounced inspectors from the Community Health Council wonder whether maximum use was being made of the facilities there. The CHC wants a breakdown of patient numbers and staffing levels.

What goes on?

Are cases steered away from Rossendale so that a case for centralisation of services at Burnley is built up?

Or is it that - against the contradictory background of those waiting lists - there is insufficient patient traffic to keep the Rossendale unit busy all the time?

Answers please.

But note how the questions come about - from the system of unannounced inspections by the CHC.

Note, too, that Trust bosses want them stopped.

We agree with CHC chairman Frank Clifford that it is important that the service is seen as it is and not as some managers would like it seen.

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