UPDATE – since this story was first published in print, a new opening date for the A&E service has been annouced. The service is due to return from 8am to 5pm from 2nd November.
A&E services were due to return to Chorley on 28th September. But a week before the planned reopening, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals announced that they had been unable to recruit the staff needed to open safely.
Local Green Party campaigner Andy Hunter-Rossall said, “This will come as a massive blow to many residents. We have been without A&E services in Chorley for 6 months. The Health Secretary told us at the start of May he was working hard to reopen the service “as soon as possible”, but more than 4 months later we appear no closer! No new timetable for reopening has been given and that is just not good enough.”
Chorley and South Ribble Hospital continues to have a 24 hour Urgent Care Centre for minor injuries and illnesses, whilst A&E services are can be accessed at the Royal Preston Hospital.
There is an ongoing campaign to restore and protect Chorley and South Ribble A&E service – you can find out more on the campaign’s Facebook page.
