A NEW emergency surgical unit is to open at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The 35-bed ward will operate as an emergency admission point and look after some patients post-operation who are staying up to four days.

East Lancashire Hospitals Trust chiefs said the unit, due to open in January 2020, will improve patient experience and flow and mean shorter hospital stays.

Natalie Hudson, divisional director for surgery and anaesthetics for the trust, said: "We are delighted to announce that the trust is working to create a new ‘Emergency Surgical Unit’ (ESU) at its Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital site.

"The unit is expected to open in January 2020 and aims to improve patient experience and flow by relocating existing services to ensure all required elements are physically closer together.

“The ESU will provide an emergency admission point for all specialities - as the Surgical Triage Unit (STU) does currently.

"Containing 35 beds it will also look after some short-stay post-operative patients with a planned discharged within 4 days.

“It is anticipated that by reducing ward moves our patient’s will benefit from a shorter hospital stay."

Professor Damian Riley, acting chief executive at the trust, said “This will improve patient experience and flow.

"The ESU will operate as an emergency admission point for all specialities - as the Surgical Triage Unit (STU) does currently - and will also look after some post-operative patients who are staying up to four days.

“By reducing unnecessary ward moves it is anticipated that our patient’s will benefit from a shorter hospital stay.

“ Establishing an ESU is the next stage of the Acute Surgical Pathway Redesign Project which began with the expansion and relocation of the Surgical Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit (SAECU).”

Health campaigner Russ McLean, chairman of the Pennine Lancashire Patient Voices Group, also welcomed the new unit.

He said: “This new unit will improve patient services and emergency care dramatically.

“It’s one of a number of exciting things that have been happening at the hospital.

“I’m most looking forward to the completion of the new build at the A&E.

"This is a welcome news."

The new unit is one of a number of a number of projects at the hospital in recent years.

In 2017, a new Respiratory Assessment Unit opened its doors and treats patients from the age of 18 upwards, with respiratory conditions including COPD, asthma and pneumonia.

While a new £9.95m medical unit is expected to open in winter next year.

Known as an ‘Emergency Care Village’, the 31-bed extension at Royal Blackburn Hospital, aims to reduce length of stay in A&E and should lead to fewer unnecessary transfers of care.