Chorley Conservatives are expressing their deep concern and regret at Lancashire NHS Trust’s decision to temporarily downgrade the A&E service provision at Chorley Hospital and temporarily transfer it to Preston Royal Hospital.
This is down to a long-term failure of the NHS Trust to address staffing issues at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, combined with their continued efforts, over a long period of time, to move this service to Preston. There is no new government policy or spending decisions which have required this to happen.
Chorley Conservatives oppose this decision, and believe the Trust has not exhausted all options to keep the service open, nor consulted widely to identify other means to prevent it from happening. We believe it is making this decision in order to further its aim of moving this service to Preston.
We will be working with local politicians from all parties, as well as government and NHS officials, to constructively put pressure on Lancashire NHS Trust to reverse this unnecessary decision as soon as possible. Furthermore, we will write to the Secretary of State asking him to intervene if the Trust do not resolve their staffing issues promptly.
Paul Leadbetter, Leader of the Chorley Council Conservative Group
Peter Goldsworthy, Chairman of Chorley Conservatives
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