WORK is due to start on modernising facilities at Burnley General Hospital as part of a major investment.

An additional 14 beds will be created for short-stay surgery, and a new purpose-built elective centre will help improve facilities for surgery and minor procedures.

There will also be an extra endoscopy suite installed in the elective centre as part of a six-figure investment.

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Hospital chiefs said minor procedures such as blood transfusions will move out of theatres into the new suite, and the additional beds could help ease pressure on Royal Blackburn Hospital with fewer operations being cancelled.

Patients who currently attend the planned admission unit on ward 28 will also receive treatment in the new East Lancashire Elective Centre.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said the extra endoscopy suite is the fourth at the hospital as they plan for anticipated growth in endoscopy services in the coming years.

Gillian Simpson, executive director of operations at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This substantial investment in facilities at Burnley General Hospital means we will have extra capacity to perform more surgery and provide better treatment for patients.

“A significant number of patients who need endoscopy, minor surgery and day-case procedures will in future benefit from larger, purpose-built diagnostic and treatment facilities in the new East Lancashire Elective Centre.”

The elective centre is scheduled to open in October.

Kevin McGee, chief executive at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This investment is excellent news for all patients undergoing elective (planned) surgery with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

“It is vital that hospitals adapt in response to changing demands, new treatments and new opportunities, and the East Lancashire Elective Centre shows the trust’s commitment to deliver NHS services effectively for local people into the future.”

Russ McLean, chairman of the Pennine Lancashire Patient Voices Group, said: “The trust admitted it needed money spending on it. I am happy they have listened to patients and patient groups to come up with this unit.”

Cllr Gordon Birtwistle said: “Short, quick operations — like hernias — are the biggest things on the waiting list so it is fantastic. I welcome it wholeheartedly.”