A PROPOSED multi-million extension to the Royal Blackburn Hospital’s A & E Department has been given a qualified welcome.

But provoked calls from Lancashire Telegraph for the re-opening of the equivalent unit at Burnley General.

On Wednesday the government announced the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust will receive between £5million and £10million to pay for an expansion of the Haslingden Road’s casualty department.

The revelation of the plan in yesterday’s paper has provoked a host of comments on the Telegraph website and Facebook page.

Some questioned the cost of the expansion but many felt some of the cash should go to upgrade the minor injuries unit at Burnley General back to full A and E status.

Sister Wendy posted: “Great news that it’s having an input of money to improve the facilities (and provide additional staff, hopefully!). “

Linda 1963 wrote: “Is anyone ever happy on here? Right little rainclouds of doom.

Damned if we put money into NHS and damned if we don’t. Get a grip and be happy and for once.”

Mandy Elkington posted: “Why not just reopen Burnley. Surely that’s easier !.”

Primus622 wrote: “They’d be better re opening Burnley with the money.”

Tazzeeshan Ahmed posted: “It’s just to far to go to Blackburn from Burnley and burn petrol and then pay for parking. Bring back A&E to Burnley.”

Angie Crossley posted: “Good news, but the nurses and doctors are already stretched. Give us our A and E back in Burnley.”

Jozey Davison wrote: “Why don’t they just reopen Burnley A and E. That will cut the waiting times.”

Rebecca Skelton wrote: “Bring back Burnley’s A and E; the building and facilities are already there.”

Tallrover posted: “The NHS is the biggest employer in Europe with an annual budget of £140billion. If things are not running smoothly it’s not down to lack of investment.”

Lynn Holmes wrote: “Reopen Burnley.”

NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens said: “Today we’re firing the starting gun on the first wave of major service upgrades and care redesign which will benefit people living in counties, towns and cities across England.

“For patients it’ll mean easier GP appointments, modern A&Es, and better cancer and mental health care.”