AN inspection team which is probing the mortality rates at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust will stage another public meeting in Burnley this evening.

A previous ‘listening event’, at Burnley Mechanics earlier this month, was poorly attended, so the Keogh Review team has planned another meeting, at the same venue, at 7.30pm tonight.

Gill Harris, chairman of the review panel, said: “It is essentially important to us that we get as big a picture of what is going on in Burnley General Hospital as possible, so that we can make informed decisions, and cover all aspects of the hospital’s work.

“To do this we need to hear the views of the public.

“We had some good stories brought to us at the first event, but I was concerned that, for whatever reason, people did not take the opportunity to have their say.

“Listening events in other areas I have visited have been much better attended, and I just want to be sure people feel they have had the chance to be heard.

“Therefore, I have decided to offer a second event to give more people a chance.

“I want to hear about the good, the bad and the ugly.

“This is a hospital that serves its local community.

“And I am sure everyone has a story to tell about their experiences,” she added.