THERE may be more twists and turns before it can be confirmed that Burnley's children's ward is not moving to Blackburn.

But what does seem clear is that the new coalition government is taking a more common sense approach to changes in health services.

The anger has never abated since Burnley's A&E was closed in November 2007 and all 999 patients started being taken to Blackburn.

And that is because the councillors and people in the worst affected areas in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale never felt their views were taken into account.

Indeed today, 20 months later, many still feel a full public inquiry is the only way to end the constant rows.

They want a thorough analysis of the decision in public, and have pledged to stand by the panel's verdict.

But that was never forthcoming. Instead we got an internal NHS assessment which praised the changes.

Now, it appears too late to ever return an A&E to Burnley. But the new Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition has announced a change in policy which could prevent Burnley's children's ward being closed and moved to Blackburn.

Ministers say any changes to health services in future must be agreed by councils, GPs and patients instead of by NHS managers following 'cursary consultations'.

And given the problems in East Lancashire in recent years, this stance is most welcome .