THE proposed loss of emergency surgery provision at Chorley Hospital is still causing genuine concern among local residents.

The loss would have an effect on patient care and is an obvious reduction in the accident and emergency provision at Chorley.

The reality is that the provision would be maintained if there was more funding available for the hospital.

The Labour Government has increased investment in the National Health Service, but is not spending the money where it is needed.

Money is wasted on bureaucracy and administration. The cost of NHS administration has risen by £40 million since 1997.

Investment is not reaching the front-line in Chorley.

Chorley households, which are now paying £5,000 more in taxation, are threatened with the loss of a service which they need because the Government has wasted the money it has raised.

The Labour government is to blame for the proposed closure. A Conservative government would spend the money on front-line services.

Simon Mallett, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Chorley