Unacceptable: the story that Blackburn A&E. Dept (LT, November 12) had to close for three hours because it just could not cope with an excess of patients.

Some had to be sent 28 miles away. It is quite obvious from this report that Burnley A&E department should never have been closed and, to have to bring in extra nurses to Blackburn A&E to help them with the extra influx of patients also proves there are not enough staff on duty.

What would happen if Blackburn suffered a major disaster, eg. a train crash, explosion, a large traffic accident? I shudder to think.

Also what happens in the winter when pavements are icy – no gritting on these, as there is on our roads.

The elderly will suffer most, may well fall and break hips, which in most cases have dire consequences.

Not to mention the many people who attend A&E with minor injuries they could treat at home or illnesses their GPs could resolve. At the bottom of all this is money before people. God help us all.

H Hamer, Lowther Place, Blackburn