EVERYONE knows that staff from Fairfield General Hospital are heavily involved in the campaign surrounding the plans for the special care baby unit at Fairfield.

Let's be clear: there is absolutely nothing wrong with that (Letters, September 24).

Our staff are all individuals, and have a perfect right to form their own views on the proposals from the Children and Young People's Network and, indeed, on any other proposals in relation to NHS services, whether hospital or community-based.

Members of staff were at the recent public meeting and were among those asking questions or making points to the panel.

What we have told staff, and what we will happily restate, is that their involvement in the campaign must be in line with existing Trust policies, procedures and the professional codes of conduct which govern their profession. That's nothing to do with this as a specific issue -- it would apply in any circumstances.

We have spent -- and continue to spend -- a lot of time in encouraging staff to become involved in the work around testing these proposals. We will continue to do this because, at the end of the day, whatever the decision is, these staff will have to take things forward.

Naturally, this is an emotive and stressful time for all staff involved in these services, and there have been some heated discussions. At these times, it's important to recognise that every member of staff has the right to form their own opinion, and should be able to do so without pressure from colleagues.

I don't see anything wrong with that -- in fact, I see it is as a basic right for all our staff, whatever their own personal views on any given subject.

JOHN LINDARS,

divisional director,

(Women and Children's Division).