I NOTE with interest the piece (LET, February 13) regarding plans to install a helipad at the New Queen's Park Hospital in Blackburn.

The Chief Executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is sadly deluded if she thinks that this for one minute will placate the people of Burnley and Pendle.

A helicopter is no substitute for the possible option to close A&E and intensive care facilities at Burnley General Hospital in order to deal with the trust's financial problems.

Only an unequivocal commitment to maintain those facilities in Burnley will be acceptable to the people of this area.

ALAN THORBURN, Thirlmere Road, Burnley.