Burnley A&E battle’s goal ‘could take years’ (From This Is Lancashire)

Burnley A&E battle’s goal ‘could take years’

3:03pm Friday 9th July 2010 in News By Neil Docking, Reporter

PROTEST: Campaigners marching to keep A&E at Burnley General

CAMPAIGNERS fighting for the return of a full A&E service to Burnley General Hospital said it may now take years to achieve their goal.

But Coun Darren Reynolds, who has been at the forefront of the fight, has vowed to never give up.

His comments come after a review of the decision to close the A&E in November 2007 by senior clinicians made 23 recommendations for improvements.

But they said the decision to send all blue light emergencies to the Royal Blackburn was 'justified' – and Burnley will still not be equipped in future to handle the most serious cases.

Some campaigners hailed the decision a 'victory for common sense', saying it was unrealistic to expect a full A&E to be restored to Burnley in the current financial climate.

But Liberal Democrats in Burnley are far from satisfied.

Councillors from the party in Burnley and Pendle have been fighting on the issue for more than two years, and compiled a document with 200 pages of complaints from people about the service offered by the hospital.

The review said there was 'no evidence the present system is unsafe' and found evidence some areas were 'safer and more clinically effective'.

Conservative MP for Pendle Andrew Stephenson and Liberal Democrat MP for Burnley Gordon Birtwistle were elected in May after campaigns insisting they could bring back A&E.

It has led outsted Pendle MP Gordon Prentice to challenge the pair, saying the 'ball was now firmly in their court', given pledges by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to 'let the doctors decide' whether to restore the service.

But Coun Reynolds, who is Burnley Council's health scrutiny member, said he still felt the report 'vindicated their position'.

He said: "The report explains how the downgrading of Burnley's hospital has gone too far and makes 23 recommendations for improvements, which include returning more ambulances to Burnley.

“It may take a few more years to complete the process, but Burnley General Hospital will offer a full range of services.”