HEALTH bosses said a new 35-bed dementia unit could also serve patients in Blackburn with Darwen.

As revealed by the Lancashire Telegraph on Thursday, East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which serves Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, is looking to offer assessment and rehabilitation beds in a new £2 million-a-year facility.

This could prevent some patients from requiring specialist treatment at a soon-to-be-built Blackpool hospital.

The Harbour project, which has prompted the controversial closure of specialist dementia beds in Blackburn and Burnley in recent years, is set to open in Blackpool next year, with patients being treated in Preston until then.

When asked if Blackburn with Darwen patients would also benefit from the new East Lancashire unit, the CCG said: “As with many other projects, the CCG will work closely with all partners, including Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group should proposals progress.”