ON (November 26) you published a photograph of the various changes taking place in Burnley General Hospital.

The buildings being referred to as 'state of the art.' I wondered why it is found necessary to have a retail outlet as part of a hospital campus?

Surely the money would be better spent on employing more nursing staff and raising their salaries.

I spent 10 weeks on Ward 21 at Burnley General Hospital from January this year and saw at first hand how much work was expected of a somewhat limited staff.

I take this opportunity to give my thanks to all those who helped me through this time.

Not very long after we find it front page news that all East Lancashire hospitals must cut back, cash is in short supply, beds face being axed and so on.

This, again, should surely be an indication that money is being spent in the wrong places.

The first requirement is that nursing staff should be available for patients and there should be a sufficiency of staff paid a reasonable salary.

LILLIAN PLEYDELL, Railway Street, Nelson.