CAMPAIGNERS have claimed victory in the fight to stop Burnley’s children’s ward moving to Blackburn.

They said a policy change by the new Government meant the plans were ‘dead in the water’.

However the strategy appears to hit any hope of reversing the November 2007 to close Burnley General's A&E and send all 999 cases to Blackburn. The Government said it could not 're-open previously concluded process'.

But campaigners are confident about the children's ward after Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's announcement.

He said local NHS organisations looking at changing services needed to meet new criteria.

These include the consent of councils, GPs and patients.

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle said the borough council would never approve the move, set for later this year, so the plan would be halted.

East Lancashire hospital bosses said they were 'not in a position' to comment. They will be guided by NHS North West, the regional strategic health authority.

Campaigners have been fighting the decision to close the Deerplay ward since the annoucement in March.

Children with minor illnesses will still be treated at an observation and assessment unit, while some outpatient and daycare paediatric services will remain on site.

But inpatient children’s beds on the Deerplay ward had been set to move to Blackburn, sparking anger at the extra travelling needed for poorly youngsters and their families.

Mr Birtwistle, the newly-elected Liberal Democrat MP said: “As I read it, this is now dead in the water, until they talk to local GPs, community leaders and the local council.

“We as a council have already voted against it and speaking to nearly all the GPs in Burnley they are opposed to it too.

“I am obviously delighted and I am sure the people of Burnley will be delighted too.

“The people taking this decision won't be faceless people in London and bureaucrats from the trust. It will be local GPs, community leaders and council leaders and the local people of Burnley.”

Mr Birtwistle said he had contacted East Lancashire Hospitals chief executive Dianne Whittingham to arrange a meeting to discuss the issue next week.

He added that the conclusions of a review into Burnley's urgent care centre, due to be published in the next fortnight, could spark moves to get an A&E back to Burnley.

Outlining the policy, Mr Lansley said decisions on NHS service changes must focus on improving patient outcomes, consider patient choice, have support from GP commissioners and be based on sound clinical evidence.

He said the power to make decisions would be handed back to local communities and 'the people, patients, GPs and councils who are best placed to determine the nature of their local NHS services'.

Mr Lansley said he was 'calling a halt to the current process', adding: "Some of these closures, or reconfigurations, of local services are based on disputed or flawed evidence, and do not pay due attention to clinical opinion.

"Some have lacked real public engagement beyond a cursory consultation.

"Most do not reflect the choices that patients or GPs would make if they were in control.

“Unfortunately, I cannot re-open previously concluded processes nor halt those that have passed the point of no return, with contracts signed or building work started. But the majority of cases are ongoing and we have an opportunity for a new approach.”

Coun Darren Reynolds, Burnley Council's health scrutiny councillor, said there was no evidence the closure of the Deerplay ward met the new criteria.

He said: “The Health Secretary is committed to halt the closure of Deerplay ward, and has asked the national NHS chief executive to write to our local NHS trusts to explain the new rules.

"This is a really positive step and good news for Burnley and Padiham.”

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said the implication of the new vision would be a matter for the strategic health authority, NHS North West.

But an NHS North West spokesman said: “We are not in a position to give a comment at this time.”