EAST Lancashire's top hospital boss is pleased people are speaking out over controversial shake-up plans -- even if it means managers' arguments are "not believed".

Jo Cubbon, chief executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, was speaking ahead of today's deadline for residents to put in their views about options for the region's hospitals.

The trust has suggested moving intensive care beds from one hospital to another -- widely believed to hit Burnley General -- meaning some patients will have to travel further for treatment.

The plans have caused outrage among many residents and a 35,000-signature petition was last week given to the trust opposing the plan.

Yet Mrs Cubbon told a trust board meeting: "I know there is a lot of anxiety out there, I understand that but at least people are getting engaged.

"What we have done is get people really want to get involved about how they shape their health service."

She said it was "unfortunate we seem to be focusing on one part of our services" and "there are doubters and maybe people don't believe us".

But she said managers had to keep their mind on the purpose of the review, which was to realise an "ambition to improve health care for our population".

The trust put forward four options for the public's views in October -- do nothing, build a major new hospital in East Lancashire, move intensive care beds from one site and move intensive and high dependency beds from one site.

But it last month put forward a fifth option suggested by those concerned about the other proposals, to keep some beds at both sites.

Views have to be in by today -- and a consultation document outlining what the trust thinks is the best option will then be published in the New Year.

Views can be sent to Chief Executive, East Lancashire NHS Trust, Queen's Park Hospital, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH, by telephone to 01254 293855 or by e-mail to chief.executive@elht.nhs.uk.