A HOSPITALS trust has said it will 'prepare thoroughly' as it looks to ease pressure on its emergency department this winter.

With the winter months fast-approaching and the seasonal increase in attendance it brings to A&E departments, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT), has announced how it plans to deal with the extra pressures.

The plan will see a new respiratory Assessment Unit open in Royal Blackburn Teaching at the end of October.

Purposefully-built, the facility will aim to reduce the time people with COPD, Asthma and Pneumonia wait in A&E.

Initially, it will be available five days a week and intends to improve the service the trust offers and hopefully enable some patients to avoid A&E admissions.

Around 1,800 patients attend the A&E with respiratory conditions and the trust anticipates that 70% of them will benefit from the new service.

The plans are part of £5m - £10m of capital funding to pay for an expansion of Royal Blackburn Hospital’s A&E and to provide two extra clinical rooms.

Kevin McGee, Chief Executive at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT), said:“Every winter there is a seasonal increase in attendance to our Emergency Department.

"However, we prepare thoroughly to manage during those busy periods.

"Part of our winter planning includes a recent successful bid for capital funds.

"The extra funding is a reflection of just how busy our A&E is and in recognition of the great work carried out by our staff in very challenging circumstances.

"The plans are now being put in place to expand the A&E facilities at the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, providing a more positive and efficient experience for our patients.

It comes after a warning from NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson that patients could die this winter because the NHS is 'alarmingly' unprepared to deal with the surge of people who fall ill during the cold weather.

But a Department of Health spokesperson said the NHS has 'prepared for winter this year than ever before'.

The spokesperson said: "Thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff, alongside record levels of funding to ease pressure on A&E departments, the NHS has prepared for winter more this year than ever before - ensuring patients continue to receive safe and efficient care as demand expectantly increases."