ACCORDING to a recent Press report, GPs are being urged to keep sick patients at home, instead of sending them into hospital.

Is this what is behind the proposed 31 bed closure at Rossendale General Hospital?

This area has already lost Colne's Hartley Hospital, Reedyford Hospital, the Marsden, Victoria and Bank Hall, plus all those beds for the mentally ill.

Patients cannot always travel long distances if they have no transport of their own, or haven't much money.

Centres of excellence are fine, but what if the numbers reach saturation point?

Everyone hasn't someone to care for them at home and the Care in the Community programme is already underfunded, with further cash cuts predicted for the future.

The outcome for the future is that many people will go without prompt proper treatment - unless they can afford to pay for private care.

KATHLEEN BULCOCK (Mrs), Wilkie Avenue, Burnley.

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