PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has praised the neonatal care at Burnley General Hospital.

Mr Stephenson wrote to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust to find out about the service after attending a Bliss Parliamentary reception, held to raise awareness of the needs of premature and special care babies.

The level of neonatal care at Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre in Burnley exceeded expected standards, with 82 per cent of nurses qualified in this speciality compared with an expected standard of 70 per cent.

Mr Stephenson said: “I am extremely pleased to hear neonatal care in Burnley exceeds expected standards and that the centre is continuing to increase its capabilities through on-going programmes of professional development.”