COUNCILLORS are meeting hospital bosses this afternoon urging them to listen to people’s concerns before closing two rehabilitation units for stroke and fall patients.

East Lancashire Primary Care Trust has announced plans to ‘modernise’ its services by closing the rehabilitation day centres at Pendle Community Hospital, in Leeds Road, Nelson, and at The Health Hub, in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, in favour of ‘care in the community’ visits.

Pendle councillor Mohammed Iqbal and Mayor of Rossendale Coun Gladys Sandiford will meet with the PCT’s head of communities this afternoon to express their concerns.

Coun Iqbal said: “The problem with this decision is that the PCT has simply not consulted with the people of Pendle or Rossendale.

“Pendle is already out on a limb when it comes to medical care, especially after the closures at Burnley General Hospital.

"My own grandmother has used this services and it made things so much easier, her being close to home.

“We need to convince the PCT to take a common-sense approach and ask them to listen to our concerns.”

Mayor of Rossendale Coun Gladys Sandiford, whose husband Jim needed rehabilitation care after a brain haemorrhage in 2005, said: “I will proudly stand side-by-side with Coun Iqbal to try to convince the PCT they are making a mistake.

“Hopefully, by standing together and having strength in numbers, we can show the PCT that they need to consult with the public before making drastic decisions.”

Hospital bosses hope to implement the changes by the end of September.