HOSPITAL bosses today pledged units will cope with any winter health emergency - despite a plan to axe dozens of beds.

Concern was expressed by watchdogs in East Lancashire that the proposals reported in the Telegraph on Friday could leave hospitals overstretched.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has drawn up a list of potential cuts to help solve a predicted £5.5million debt at the end of this financial year. No final decision has been taken on which beds will go.

Richard Gildert, acting chief executive of the trust, said: "These aren't measures we'd take if we felt there was another choice.

"But we would like to reassure people that if there is an outbreak of flu, as we have seen in previous years, then we will have the beds to cope because we can bring them back very quickly.

"These proposals are designed not to affect patients, or quality of care. We are currently talking to staff about the proposals to get their feedback.

"I think it is important people look at hospitals in terms of the number of patients seen, rather than number of beds."

The proposals have been presented to MPs and Blackburn with Darwen Council's health overview and scrutiny committee.

Coun Ron O'Keeffe, a member of the committee, said: "We sought a reassurance that the hospital could cope with some sort of emergency. There is a lot of speculation that we are due a flu outbreak, especially with the problems with vaccine supply this year."