HOSPITAL bosses are reviewing the operation of the physiotherapy unit at Pendle Community Hospital following complaints by patients about cancelled appointments.

The issue was taken up by Frank Clifford, chairman of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Community Health Council (CHC) after he was told of instances where people had waited several weeks for treatment at the Nelson unit only to be told two days before their appointment that their session had been cancelled.

"I've been made aware in the last few days of patients' appointments being cancelled by telephone, with no indication of when a new appointment would be made, after waiting six weeks for treatment," said Mr Clifford.

"It is a very worrying trend. The sooner people are treated the better and recovery and to have this occur is not satisfactory and we want to know what is being done to rectify the matter."

Mr Clifford spoke to Burnley Health Care NHS Trust's chairman Brian Foster, and its chief executive David Chew, about the matter and they said they would look into it.

A Trust spokesman said: "We are aware there's a problem. There is no one specific problem area but a number of elements, including natural wastage and staffing difficulties.

"There is a full review underway and we are confident we can meet the urgent needs of patients." One of the issues that will be looked at is recruiting more staff.

He stressed existing staff at Pendle Community Hospital are working hard to meet appointments.

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