ROSSENDALE'S civic chiefs have told health bosses of their fears over proposed changes to local services.

Their concerns over the re-shuffle of East Lancashire hospitals were highlighted during a presentation from health service bosses.

Dr Ellis Friedman was asked to attend a committee meeting in Rossendale where a presentation on the "public matters" consultation a 12-week consultation which finishes on July 10 was given.

The meeting was told of the main proposed changes for health care, including moving most pre-booked operations from Blackburn to Burnley, axing key women's and children's services at one of the hospitals, Burnley General losing its blue-light A&E department and the closure of Rossendale Hospital (pictured) in its current form.

But councillors showed concerns over the options being put forward by health bosses and moved to leave the borough council's vote in the hands of the chief executive, Carolyn Wilkins.

Coun Gladys Sandiford told Dr Friedman, the director of health for Burnley Pendle and Rossendale PCT: "I feel like you are selling the idea of something that is no good.

"The people of Rossendale want to be reassured that we are going to keep some services."

The Mayor of Rossendale, Coun Peter Steen, said he had major reservations over plans for Rossendale including the safety of a birthing unit in the Valley for "women without complications" leaving the only hospital facilities as far away as Bury, Blackburn or Burnley.

He had concerns over sudden problems within labour and access to ambulances.

He added: "My wife had a caesarean and I've seen that normal pregnancies can become an emergency at the last minute. I'm worried about births at the birthing centre because they can appear non-risk and become high risk with no hospital facilities on hand.

"It's basically great if you're healthy but tough if you're not."

There are already plans to minimise the impact of any extra travelling distance, such as providing extra ambulances to maintain a speedy response to 999 calls and a free shuttle bus between the Blackburn and Burnley hospital sites.

And health bosses claim the proposed changes will also bring many more health services closer to where people live, particularly outpatient appointments and urgent care for minor injuries and ailments.

Mr Friedman said: "Nothing is in and nothing is out ,that is why we are having this consultation. If there is good reasons to do something then it needs considering."