Councillors have also asked for reassurance about the future of Preston’s hospital

Politicians in Preston and South Ribble have joined forces to demand answers over Chorley’s ongoing Accident and Emergency department closure.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust announced from Monday 18 April all A&E patients would be transferred to Royal Preston Hospital.

Wait times at A&E in Preston have increased and councillors have called for a ‘more definite timescale’ over when Chorley’s A&E will reopen.

The Trust said it had no choice but to close the department due to a lack of qualified doctors. It has put in place an ‘urgent care unit’ which it says can treat most cases, with serious incident patients transferred to Preston.

Lancashire County Council and Preston City Council released the statement below following an emergency meeting with the Trust on Friday (April 22) lunchtime.

They said: “We are extremely concerned by the on-going closure of the A&E department at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital and are pressing for it to be re-opened as soon as qualified doctors can be recruited.

“We want to see a clear action plan detailing what will be done to re-open the department and a more definite timescale for when this will be done, and would call on the government to ensure that there is a supply of qualified doctors available.

“We also want answers to the questions many people are asking about what the future holds for both Chorley and South Ribble and Preston hospitals.

“If there is any consideration being given to closing the A&E service at the Chorley site permanently then it is important the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust is upfront and outlines their plans for what the future could hold so we, and our residents, can provide our input.

“It is our view that the A&E service must ensure residents get the best care possible in a timely manner.”

Protests have been held outside Chorley A&E with tens of thousands of people signing a petition to demand the issue is discussed in Parliament.

What do you think about the closure? Have you seen the wait times change at RPH? Let us know your views in the comments below