The future of how healthcare is delivered and Preston and South Ribble is currently being reviewed.

Proposals include having a single accident and emergency and major trauma centre for Central Lancashire as well as moving to a more ‘centralised’ approach to critical care.

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Healthcare bosses at the Greater Preston Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Chorley and South Ribble CCG say the ageing population, the rise in unhealthy lifestyles and more people developing long-term health conditions means they need to change hospital care.

These proposals do not include the creation of a ‘super hospital’ near the M65, M6 and M61 junctions although it has long been reported there is a desire to create a new hospital there.

In August we reported how Preston City Council had been given initial funding to explore creating a ‘health hub’ in the city centre.

The proposals from the CCGs are currently being consulted on and three events for the public to find out more about the plans can be visited throughout the next week.

Read more: Inspector finds ‘significant concerns’ about how Royal Preston Hospital must improve

Preston’s event takes place at County Hall on Thursday 20 September from 6pm to 8pm.

There’s also sessions at Leyland Civic Centre on Tuesday 18 September from 6pm to 8pm and another at Chorley Town Hall on Wednesday 19 September from 6pm to 8pm.

The full proposal includes:
– a 24/7 single emergency and major trauma centre
– A centralised, fully equipped critical care unit
– A planned care centre with protected beds that will prevent the
cancellation of treatments
– Transformed existing services and support care that is closer to home

Read more: When Preston took the strain from the Chorley A&E closure

Clinical leaders will be at the consiltation events to explain more about the proposals, which are available to view on the CCG website.

A spokesman for the CCGs said: “As the Our Health Our Care programme continues to look at potential changes to services in central Lancashire, it’s important that as many residents across Preston, Chorley and South Ribble attend these events as possible. They are a real opportunity for local people to help shape local healthcare.

“The changes being discussed look at potential ways to reduce waiting times, reduce the length of stay in hospital, reduce the amount of appointment cancellations and enable patients to get the right care in the right place when it’s needed.

”No decisions have been reached as to what changes will be made and where, and that’s why we’re asking for as many residents to attend as possible. We want to hear what they think as it’s their local services that could be changing.”

Anyone wanting to attend is asked to book a place online, call 01772 214323 or email ohoc.enquiries@nhs.net

A formal consultation following these feedback sessions will be held from January next year.

What do you think about RPH and healthcare in and around Preston? What should happen? Let us know your views in the comments below