HEALTH bosses behind the closure of Chorley and South Ribble’s A&E Unit are considering plans for a new ‘super-hospital’ to replace both Chorley and Preston.

The proposals could mean both the Chorley and Fulwood sites could be demolished to make way for a new facility between the two present sites, possibly in Bamber Bridge or Clayton Brook.

Last week, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust announced the A&E in Chorley would remain closed until at least next April because they had failed to hire enough doctors.

As part of strategic planning for the future the trust is looking at a single site option.

Prof Mark Pugh, who is Medical Director at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, said: “We’re looking at new options at the moment. We’ve done some pre-consultation work about 18 months ago.

“We’re at a stage where hopefully this autumn we’ll be coming out again to the public where we think there are reasons we need to change and look at the options.

“One of the options is a single new hospital.”

He added that the minimum time it would take to deliver such a project would be five or six years.

Cllr Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, said: “We are aware that the hospital trust is thinking about locating all their services on one site but they’ve not formally approached us.

“Anything that would improve services and would offer better value for money would be welcomed but first things first they have got to sort out the mess they are currently in. I’d urge the trust to concentrate on getting Chorley A&E re-opened.”