CHAIRMAN of Burnley Health Care NHS Trust, Brian Foster, has praised his staff's commitment and is looking forward to new challenges in the Year 2000.

As he looked back on 1999, Mr Foster said the Trust had performed "magnificently" despite demand for the services increasing significantly beyond expectation and funding. He added: "Public expectations continue to rise and this challenges us in the way we not only deliver our care but also in the way we communicate, at all our levels, with our clients.

"Against the background of change, the Trust I believe has performed magnificently.

"We have received recognition for our achievements in a variety of ways, whether it was in the additional funding we received to appoint a consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, recognition of the good work we are doing, in post graduate training or approval of our Business case for Phase 5.

"These have given me considerable satisfaction and pride in our performance."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.