I'VE just read (LET, October 24) that both Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt and her Deputy Norman Warner have refused to attend the official opening of the new Darwen Health Centre.

Our MP Janet Anderson was shocked and angry that it took a Labour Minister three months to reply.

It just shows you what the Government think about our health service that number one and number two will not come to open our state-of-the-art health centre.

I think that it's a slap in the face for all the good people of Darwen. I would like to see our MP and the chairman of the PCT and the child who won the art contest for the new health centre, open it and never mind about this Government.

A D GORDON (Mr), Brighton Terrace, Darwen.