I WAS an in-patient at Beardwood Hospital recovering from hip replacement surgery when I read the comments made by Russ McLean Chair of The Lancashire Patient Voices Group. His remarks about deficits in care for NHS patients could not be further from the truth. I will give hard personal evidence, which is that whether it is as an outpatient receiving physiotherapy, MRI scans, X-rays or consultations or in-patient pre and post operative care, the treatment is faultless. As a formidable critic of health care especially here in East Lancashire I can assure everyone that to have me give this high grading of treatment and care is no mean feat. I am now safely at home following a streamlined discharge procedure with a visit from the wound nurse today and follow up appointments to x-ray, physiotherapy and consultant already made. I have had private treatment in the past and can assure NHS patients that they are not discriminated against at Beardwood.

Gladys Sandiford Rossendale Borough Councillor Greenfield Ward, Haslingden