WITH reference to the comments of Ian Woolley, a former local health trust chairman, regarding the hospital reorganisation, I can assure him that there is virtually total opposition in Burnley and Pendle to these awful plans.

I seem to recall that when the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust was formed there were assurances there would be no loss of services in Burnley. Perhaps Mr Woolley would like to comment on this point.

These changes will be disastrous for the people of Burnley and having visited Burnley General Hospital in recent months, an air of decline is already apparent, despite the new buildings.

It is understandable that staff are disillusioned and demoralised.

Hospital care in Burnley will be turned back 100 years and those who helped the development of services in Burnley, particularly since the NHS was formed, will be turning in their graves at what is happening.

So no, Mr Woolley, these plans do not deserve any public support, only their contempt!

ALAN THORBURN, Thirlmere Road, Burnley.