AN MP has said the NHS in Lancashire is ‘going backwards.'

Hyndburn’s MP Graham Jones said there was also 'fragmentation, a lack of accountability and privatisation in the health service.'

He said the fragmentation of the NHS meant it was not providing the services that patients expect, during a NHS privatisation debate in the House of Commons.

During the debate, Mr Jones also criticised the planned closures of Accrington Victoria Hospital’s walk-in centre and of Calderstones Hospital in Whalley,

He also criticised the scrapping of the out-of-hours medical service at Clitheroe Hospital.

He said: “I want to talk about fragmentation, accountability and privatisation.

“The NHS in Lancashire is certainly going backwards.

“These are comments you’ll hear across England and we’re seeing the fragmentation of the NHS which is not providing the services that patients expect.”

Mr Jones also called for section 75 of the Health and Social Care Act to be revoked.

Those opposed to it have said the wording of section 75 requires commissioners to put out to tender everything that could be provided by an organisation other than the NHS.