HOSPITAL wards earmarked for weekend closure are to remain open after a cash boost and long waiting lists prompted a U-turn by health bosses.

Burnley Health Trust directors yesterday scrapped the money-saving scheme to cut the dermatology and urology wards at Burnley General Hospital from seven to five day working -- a move which had sparked strong protests from patients, families and medics.

Finance director David Meakin said the key was the fact the Trust had received extra money to deal with winter presssures on a recurring year-to-year basis.

In addition, he said, the Trust was required to significantly cut waiting lists in the two departments as part of its target strategy and additional money had been provided for this.

He told the board meeting in Nelson: "In the light of these two significant new factors, winter pressures funding and thew waiting lists targets, I would recommend to the board that we amend our decision and allow the dermatology and urology wards to remain operating as seven day wards. "This will help us to achieve waiting list targets and also help to provide additional beds during the winter period."

However, Mr Meakin stressed the need to stick to all other parts of the savings plan which will save around £1million this year.

Community Health Council chairman Frank Clifford welcomed the change of heart on an issue which had brought many concerned calls to the patient watchdog.

But he clashed with trust medical director Dr Linda Patterson when he said the main concern seemed to be the lack of discussion, consultation and dialogue on the two day shut-down.

Dr Patterson hit back: "It is absolutely not true to say there was not proper discussions or consultations.

"Some people might not have agreed with the decision taken, but there was proper discussion -- I was there and I know."