CONCERNS have been raised over nurse shortages on East Lancashire’s mental health wards.

The latest staffing figures published by Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust show the ‘average fill rates’ for shifts on its Blackburn and Burnley wards were as low as 44 per cent during September, against a target of 80 per cent. The gaps were filled by less qualified support staff.

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Russ McLean, chairman of the Pennine Lancashire Patient voices Group, said: “I’ve been hearing from members of staff and some patients recently who don’t believe the staffing levels are safe.

“I’m really concerned because the patients in these wards are some of the most vulnerable in society.”

At the Royal Blackburn Hospital, the fill rate on the Hyndburn Ward was just 46 per cent in September, while the figure for the Darwen Ward was 51 per cent. At Burnley General, the fill rate on Wards 18 and 20 was 44 and 46 per cent respectively.

All the other mental health wards at both hospitals also missed the target for registered nurses.

Dee Roach, director of nursing for Lancashire Care, said a number of factors had contributed to the shortfalls, including a high level of staff sickness and vacancies.

She said positions have now been filled adding: “Where qualified nurses have not been available, the ward sisters and matrons have carefully considered the staffing requirements of the ward based on the clinical need, ensuring the staff available are able to meet the needs of the patients at that time. Staffing levels are monitored on a daily basis by the ward managers and matrons.”