THE legacy of a leading children's doctor in Burnley will be safeguarded during East Lancashire's NHS reorganisation, hospital chiefs have pledged.

Work has commenced at Burnley General Hospital to create a new paediatric unit as part of the Meeting Patients Needs programme.

But the family of Dr Winston Turner, a respected former paediatrician at the Casterton Avenue site, was anxious that a ward named in his honour would keep its identity when the switchover takes place.

The Turner Ward is one of a number of units at Burnley which have been named after distinguished names from the town's medical past.

While the Edith Watson Unit remembers a popular local doctor, the Wilson Hey Unit marks the contribution of a former consultant urologist at Burnley.

Catherine Vozzolo, women's and children's care project director at East Lancashire Hospitals, said: "We are extremely proud to have Dr Turner's name linked to our hospital.

"We are keen his legacy continues and the name of the unit will continue to be called the Turner Ward, in recognition of the significant contribution he made within paediatrics in East Lancashire during his career.

"The plaque dedicated to him will also remain in any new facilities that we develop.

"His contribution to the paediatric service was significant and inspiring, and it is important that staff, patients and the public continue to remember the contribution he made."

Kate Turner, 23, from Colne, grand-daughter of Dr Turner, said: "The family is very pleased that the hospital is continuing to recognise his contribution to the medical community in Burnley."

Dr Turner, now 93, still lives in the Laneshawbridge area of Pendle and is married to Helen, herself a retired doctor.

Hospital chiefs have also pledged to write to Dr Turner when the work is completed on the paediatric unit and the ward is rededicated, which is expected to happen next year.

The Burnley hospital will have a daytime paediatric observation and assessment unit and a 24-hour equivalent will be established at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.