PEOPLE will get a full say in major changes to hospital services in Rossendale before any decisions are made, health bosses have promised.

A special report on health care in the area said there was a future for Rossendale Hospital but warned developments in the NHS will make its current role "inappropriate" for the next century.

Burnley Health Care NHS Trust chief executive David Chew told trust members: "This is a very important document. It sets the pattern for the future of health care in the Rossendale Valley.

"All the key stakeholders who have an interest in health in Rossendale have sat round the table to discuss it. Now we want to put it out for three months consultation and ask the public for their views on the detailed considerations in the report.

"Once we've got those views back we want to fix the range of services available in Rossendale and then decide how best they can be provided."

The Rossendale Strategy Group said its report would "provide the vision for a modern, dynamic model for local health services which will be accessible and responsive to the needs of the population of the Rossendale Valley".

Among the recommendations were transferring surgical in-patient services to Burnley General Hospital but retaining day case surgery, integrating two small wards into one 24-bed intensive rehabilitation ward, and extending out-patient services whenever possible.

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