SIR: I find it incredible that Labour's prospective candidate for Bolton NE attempts to make cheap political points by attacking the local Hospital Trust for their care of older people (Viewpoint, May 21).

Firstly, being an experienced healthcare worker with 25 years of service working with and for older people, I know that Bolton's hospital staff are second to none nationally.

Secondly, does David Crausby honestly believe that the Hospital Trust planners will not have thought in advance of the likely service demands when BRI closes? Of course they have. Thirdly, winter weather exacerbates many of the chronic health problems of Bolton residents, not just older people, and health planners always take seasonal variations into account.

Lastly, Mr Crausby has probably done more harm than good with this scaremongering. Older people need to be reassured that the NHS and the Bolton Hospital Trust will always be there to provide an excellent and responsive service for them as they always have - regardless of which party is in government.

Joan Bradley

Old Nursery Fold, Harwood

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