A SENIOR Lancashire MP is concerned the impact of plans for create one A&E to serve Preston, Chorley and South Ribble will have on other hospitals.

Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle spoke at a meeting at St Joseph’s Centre in Chorley on Tuesday night where campaigners called for the re-instatement of the 24-hour Accident and Emergency unit at Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital.

They were reacting to news of a draft NHS plan was published indicating that the public could be asked for its opinion on a single A&E unit.

Mr Hoyle said: “The health needs are being put at risk and other hospitals will be affected as people are having to go there to avoid waiting times.

“It is going to add pressure to Blackburn and Wigan units and we are now seeing a number of private ambulances on our roads and I worry they are providing more ambulances as they know they will be needed to go to one centre.

“I think it was great to see the importance that things like this have on people when there is a threat.”

A draft proposal – drawn up by a partnership of health and social care organisations in the area – has suggested creating a single Accident and Emergency unit and a separate facility for pre-planned treatment.

Dr. Geraldine Skailes, medical director at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said that although a model of care was close to being finalised, the public would get its say on the “configuration” of services.

A formal public consultation on the proposed changes is expected to begin in January 2019.

Mr Hoyle labelled it a ‘sham’ consultation and believes all of the options should be clear to residents and other things to be decided on.

He said: “If you get just one A&E then it seems like it is a fait accomplit and there should be more options.

“Chorley is one of the fastest growing areas and it should have a district hospital with an A&E.”

Meanwhile, health bosses also have fears over the impact of the closure of the temporary service at Chorley along with the new plans may have on East Lancashire.

Abdul Mullar, chief officer of Blackburn with Darwen Healthwatch said: “It would put pressure on the services at Blackburn A&E.

“If you are ill you want to get the nearest treatment then Blackburn may be closer than going to Preston.

“It will increase the pressure with more people from a larger area.

“The issue of A&E is a hot potato but we have to look at the bigger re-structure of Cumbria and Lancashire.

“We are asking why aren’t the trusts communicating with the public what the options are and how they will be affected.”