Call to halt Burnley's children's ward closure (From This Is Lancashire)

Call to halt Burnley's children's ward closure

12:11pm Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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HEALTH secretary Andrew Lansley has been told hospital bosses are pressing ahead with plans to close Burnley’s children’s ward – despite opposition.

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle yesterday raised the issue in Parliament, telling Mr Lansley that East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is pushing on with plans to move the 15-bed Deerplay children’s ward to a new increased 51-bed unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The Lib Dem MP pointed out that, under guidance issued by Mr Lansley after the coalition Government was elected, hospital trusts must have the support of the local council and local GPs to make such changes.

He asked the health secretary to step in and halt the closure as there has been widespread opposition locally.

Responding to Mr Birtwistle’s questions, Mr Lansley said any changes had to comply with guidance he announced in May.

“That should be a rigorous process, involving GPs and other local clinicians, local authorities, patients and the public, as set out in guidance.”

Lynn Wissett, deputy chief executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Centralisation of the children’s inpatient services is just one part of a set of wide-ranging changes which all link together to bring modern, improved clinical care to the people of East Lancashire.

The hospitals trust has complied with due process at all stages.”