AS a former patient of Burnley hospital on two occasions within the last five years, first with bowel cancer and more recently with a heart attack I can safely say I have experienced all the facilities first hand ie operating theatre, intensive care and the cardiac arrest suite.

The facilities were excellent and should be left alone. My friend who visited me when I was recuperating was most impressed and when he was being treated for cancer of the prostrate at Blackburn he seriously considered moving house so he could be treated at Burnley.

Also as an ex-haulage contractor, has anyone seriously considered the enormous costs involved in ambulance movements and the extra costs to be borne by visiting relatives? I think not.

If you must save money I would suggest you fire the idiot who thought of it in the first place. Amalgamating Burnley and Blackburn initially was a huge mistake. Big is not necessarily beautiful.

Having studied the current management profile I cannot imagine any of these people using the downgraded facilities they want us to accept. In fact it would appear that a model scenario is being created on the lines of the American medicare system and that is appalling.

Finally I would suggest to Kitty Ussher that if she does not want this to be her one and only term of office she should move heaven and earth to prevent this, or the wrath of the Burnley people will surely follow her to the ballot box.

STUART HUNT, Hillcrest Avenue, Burnley.