I HAVE read with interest and annoyance the headline "Clean bill of health", The Bolton News, April 10.

Whilst it is great that the Royal Bolton Hospital is set to balance its books, does this mean that the thousands of pounds of backpay owed to staff will now be paid ?

The backpay is due to changes made back in October, 2004, when staff were assimilated to different bandings for their jobs. I retired in December, 2006, and I am still waiting for my backpay.

I think we have been very patient and the pay is considerably overdue.

So whilst Mr Fillingham has done well to "balance the books", this is really not correct until the backpay is paid.

Barbara Howard, Paton Mews, Bolton