HEALTH bosses have been slammed for shunning a meeting to address residents' fears over Rossendale Hospital closures.

Rossendale Council invited health chiefs to attend a special meeting after concerns were raised over the closures of the rehabilitation Ward 1 and Ward 11, the mental health ward, at the Rawtenstall-based hospital.

But none appeared, prompting widespread criticism from those at the meeting.

However a spokesman for Lancashire Care NHS Trust, responsible for providing hospital services, today said representatives would attend a meeting next month relating specifically to mental health issues.

Around 50 residents were at the meeting held at Haslingden High School, organised by Rossendale Council to send the message "hands off our hospitals" to decison-makers.

They fear the steady ward closures could eventually lead to a permanent closure of the hospital.

Concerned resident Ian Swingewood called on council chiefs to ask the medical ombudsman to investigate the handling and closure of Ward 11.

Mr Swingewood, of Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, received a round of applause for his impassioned speech about the strength of feeling in the borough.

He said: "I call on the council to go to the ombudsman about Ward 11.

"It was axed and taken from us. One person in our community has died and more will follow."

A nurse, who worked at the hospital, but asked not to be named, said: "The acute Trust were invited to come but failed to come and answer the public's questions.

"That just goes to show and proves it to me and members of the public that they don't care about Rossendale at all. It's a disgraceful disregard for the people who live in Rossendale.

"We know they will just steam ahead with their decisions regardless of local views."

David Peat, chief executive of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust, was at the meeting but he said he couldn't answer questions on behalf of Lancashire Care NHS Trust. He urged people to express their views on the Clinical Services Review currently being undertaken with help from the three primary care trusts, local councils and Lancashire Ambulance.

The council resolved to ensure the views about what is needed are fed into the consultation.

A spokesman for Lancashire Care NHS Trust today said: "Representatives from Lancashire Care NHS Trust will be attending Rossendale Community Network on Monday February 13 to inform local people about potential changes in mental health services and to seek their views.

"This meeting will focus specifically on local mental health services rather than the wider acute health service changes of East Lancashire Hospital Trust that have been addressed in previous meetings."