Hardly a week goes by without another revelation about the difficulties and failings at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The impression given is one of desperation as management and staff struggle to cope with financial burden imposed on them by the New Labour Government through their crazy Private Finance Initiative.

We are told this is a means of funding public works without the finance being declared as public borrowing requirement. Unfortun-ately the down side of this cunning plan is that it proves a cash machine for private sector providers at the expense of services at the hospital.

Consultant and GP Ian Ashworth describes a catalogue of failings, which include: “The whole trust is in chaos” and “Bed numbers have reduced all over the NHS but in East Lancashire they have gone down more than 35 per cent”. Hospital bosses confirm the reductions.

Meanwhile Coun Tony Humphrys, vice-chairman of Blackburn with Darwen Health Scrutiny Committee, is reported as saying: “But GPs have got to realise that we have an ageing population who need more care, and that extra pressure is put on hospitals when people can’t get to see their doctor.” Is that not a reason for more beds, not fewer, councillor?

Then we are told through an investigation by Lancashire Telegraph that Lancashire taxpayers will hand over a staggering £1.5 billion in interest payments for public works across the county described by some as a “terrifying hidden debt.” Included is an estimated £686 million for the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

East Lancashire Parliamentary politicians keep their heads down and hope the problem will go away. It will not – it will get worse. The contract to the private sector consortium is to run for another 30 years.

What an appalling legacy for future generations. The treatment of the NHS by New Labour is a betrayal of the highest order. Some time ago Jack Straw MP took me to task through his LT column for criticising the financing of Royal Blackburn Hospital as a debacle. Perhaps he may wish to put his head above the parapet and give us his current analysis?

Don Rishton, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn