TODAY we are told our health services may suffer in East Lancashire because the Trust in charge of our hospitals is losing money.

Last year East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust pledged to cut its £3.9million deficit by introducing a series of cuts that would not affect the quality of health care.

Now a meeting has been told that hospitals are still sending money they don't have and the trust is looking at a £5.5million deficit by next year - a "serious financial crisis".

It means our two-star rated Trust is unlikely to reach the three star rating it wants to pave the way for it setting up Foundation Hospitals which have greater financial freedom and, say the unions, attract better staff.

Meanwhile, neighbouring trusts already have three stars and are looking likely to get foundation status, making their hospitals much better than ours, if the unions are right.

East Lancashire hospitals would be left as poor relations to their richer, more independent neighbours. And that would mean a raw deal for us, the patients.

Trust bosses are doing all they can to make savings without affecting patient care but face the burden of inherited debts and increased numbers of patients. Let's hope the Government answers the call of MP Nigel Evans and steps in to help sooner rather than later.