WITH a rising elderly population it’s not surprising that there are now around a million people in this country with dementia.

The confusion and anxiety that is part of the condition makes life extremely difficult for sufferers and those who care about them.

It’s hardly surprising, therefore, that the decision by NHS chiefs to close down dementia wards at Burnley General and Royal Blackburn Hospitals and replace them with 30 beds in a 154-bed mental health facility at Blackpool was not welcomed.

By placing this new unit at the far west of the county, they are effectively barring many elderly relatives and spouses from getting to see their loved ones because it is too difficult a journey to make.

East Lancashire health bosses have now backed the Blackpool project but only because they were left with little option.

They want patients and families to be reimbursed for some travel costs and we are told that £4million will go into home care for less serious patients.

Greatly improved home care services must be provided for people in East Lancashire if the nearest specialist centre is not within easy reach.