WE are writing to express our gratitude to the Bolton Evening News for its really important work in setting up the 'Backing the Baby Unit' campaign.

We cannot emphasise too much how important this public consultation on Children's and Maternity services is to the people of Bolton and to future generations of Boltonians.

We have long desired a realignment of these services to better meet the needs of mothers, babies and children throughout Greater Manchester.

The consultation officially known as 'Making it Better- Making it Real'(MIB) has now been launched and we only have until April 13 to get our responses in to the Strategic Health Authority and the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts that will finally make the decision about what will happen.

We urge people to look at the MIB website (www.bestforhealth.nhs.uk) and to respond positively to the consultation giving their views either through the website or by writing to Freepost, Making It Better. Consultation documents can also be obtained from the Royal Bolton Hospital (01204 390390 ext: 3504) or Bolton Primary Care Trust (01204 907717).

We are delighted that the work we have been doing at the Royal Bolton Hospital for many years has been felt worthy of expansion and development. We feel very strongly that the Preferred option; Option A' in the consultation is the right one for Bolton and for the wider community in Manchester & Salford.

The consultation is by no means a foregone conclusion. If people's views come out strongly against it then it will not go ahead. Thus we urge readers of the Bolton Evening News not only to fill in the newspaper's campaign coupons but also to respond to the consultation and help support the bid.

Thank you again to the Bolton Evening News. Let's hope we can secure the best result!

Gail Naylor RGN, RM, MBA,

Divsional Manager/Head of Midwifery.

Peter Powell

Associate Medical Director