I AM very puzzled.

Can anyone explain to me why the very costly Healthier Together consultation involving more than 22,000 people —1,755 of them from Bolton was held when the results have been totally ignored. Just what was the point?

The article in Friday's Bolton News stated that overall the public showed more support for five hospital sites and that people would rather have care at their local hospital. Despite these majority views the chiefs of Greater Manchester's Clinical Commissioning Groups have decided that only four sites would be provided.

If Clinical Commissioners intended to overrule the findings of the public consultation on a "we know best" basis then why ask the public in the first place. The consultation has clearly been a waste of public money that could have been better spent on local heath care.

Perhaps a representative for the Commissioners can tell me where Bolton residents will receive emergency surgery once their plans are implemented. The article suggests this care would be provided at either Central Manchester, Oldham, Salford or Stockport. How does this fit with the consultations findings that people wanted care at their local hospital? I would also like to know how Commissioners intend to influence the provision of accessible public transport to the chosen sites when this is mainly in the hands of the private sector?

Lynne Siddall

Barley Brook Meadow

Bolton