BOSSES are warning that the A&E department at Royal Blackburn Hospital is again struggling to cope.

The hospital has already issued several warnings this year because of the number of patients and the ‘unprecedented demand’ it faces.

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Former Burnley MP and health campaigner Cllr Gordon Birtwistle believes that the issue is being contributed to by closures, such as that of Chorley A&E department.

He said: “It’s just a constant strain. You can’t pour two pints into a one pint glass. Blackburn A&E is constantly on red alert.

“The more A&E departments they close the more strain this will put on existing ones.

“It just doesn’t work. They are doing it all the time and it is something I don’t understand.”

Similar warnings about the Royal Blackburn Hospital were made in January this year, citing the high levels of demand over the New Year period.

However possible factors including the growing population, and summer hazards like outdoor activities, have seen the warnings continue into the summer season.

Chorley Hospital’s A&E department closed in April due to staffing issues and Cllr Birtwistle believes this also hasn’t helped the problem.

He said: “The closure of Chorley means the people will have to go to either Blackburn, Preston or Wigan. They also closed Burnley A&E which put immense pressure on Blackburn.

“Blackburn hospital was built for Blackburn, not built for Burnley, Ribble Valley and Pendle.” People are being warned that hospitals across Lancashire remain near full capacity recently and they want to make sure that the sickest people can be seen as a priority.

Hospital bosses are reminding everyone that the emergency department is for medical emergencies only.

Gillian Simpson, director of operations at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Patient safety is always our priority.

and it is important that emergency patients receive the best care and treatment in safely staffed units.

“The impact of the decision to close Chorley ED has seen a steady increase in attendance at the Royal Blackburn Hospital A&E from patients who live in the Chorley area.

“The demand on our own emergency department has been unprecedented in the past few months and we would urge people not to attend except in a genuine emergency.”

“There are other more appropriate places to go if not an emergency such as your GP or pharmacist; calling the 111 helpline; the Urgent Care Centre at Burnley or Minor Injury Units.”