EVERY day there are reports of a crisis somewhere in the NHS -- more patients needing treating with fewer beds available, increased waiting times and not enough doctors and nurses.

Now Health Secretary Alan Milburn proposes that senior nurses be given special training to make full use of their skills, by becoming £100,000 a year hospital chief executives.

Also, ward sisters are to take over control of their staff budgets, to decide what staffing they need.

What is really needed is all these skilled, experienced nurses actually working on the wards, not bogged down with paper work.

They should use their skills caring for patients, supervising junior nurses and providing tender loving care. More bosses aren't the answer, as these special nurses will only be added to the already top-heavy layer of management already in place.

KATHLEEN BULCOCK (Mrs), Wilkie Avenue, Burnley.