ON the day that the NHS chief executive talks of tumbling waiting lists and increased patient choice, we hear a different message in East Lancashire.

While the government is claiming big improvements across the country, the chief executive of East Lancashire Hospitals Trust reveals that up to 140 beds are set to be cut to help deal with a £5.5million debt.

That debt is still growing and there are fears that if cutbacks are not made it could grow to £6million by the end of next March.

It's true that a lot of money has been spent on hospital buildings in the area in the past few years especially to prepare Queen's Park for its 'super hospital' role.

But that investment is meant to improve services for patients, not worsen them. Now, as the chairman of East Lancashire Patients Forum says: "There is a real concern about impact on waiting lists and the possibility of patients being hurried home."

She also points out that once something is lost "it is very hard to get it back".

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope says he is at a loss to know where the debt has come from.

We must be told if the problem is too little cash, mismanagement or a mixture of the two. And patient care must not be allowed to suffer.