People in Chorley and South Ribble are celebrating today knowing that the A&E at Chorley has reopened for emergency care after months of local campaigning following its shock closure last April. The campaign has attracted demonstrations, pressure groups, intense lobbying and hundreds of “Save our A&E” signs displayed in homes, cars and business premises throughout the area.
However, the A&E is only open 8am to 8pm which is down from the previous 24 hour service. Mark Pugh the director of medical services cited the acute shortage of doctors nationally as the principal problem, and that they continue to recruit in order to bring a full 24 hour care service, 7 days a week. The campaign for 24 hour A&E continues and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust cannot put a date on the resuming of 24 hour service.
Amanda Singleton (Independent Living, Registered Manager) commented “our clients receive care in their own home but most are over 75 years old and inevitably they have falls, sudden illness and medical emergencies. It is unfeasible for them to travel to the Royal Preston, most do not drive, and relatives are not often available to take them. The delay in getting to a congested part of Preston is potentially life threatening and it cannot make economic sense or ambulances to travel all that way. Like the rest of the local community we want to see a 24 hour A&E care service in Chorley and we fully back MP Lindsay Hoyle and the campaign”.
