WE welcome the speedy move by councillors in Hyndburn, who have joined the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in condemning delays which are forcing elderly people in East Lancashire to wait an average of nine months for a wheelchair.

They have described the delays as "disgraceful."

And they are right.

Hyndburn policy and resources committee agreed last night that chief executive Mike Chambers should write to Health Secretary Frank Dobson and the Community Health Council calling for urgent action to reduce the waiting time for NHS wheelchair provision.

Let us hope that Frank Dobson also adopts a sense of urgency.

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