HEALTH bosses have moved to reduce public fears concerning the merger of the Preston and Chorley hospital trusts.

Consultation began with a public meeting held on Monday, January 7, at the Woodlands Centre, Chorley, when only 15 members of the public turned up.

If the merger goes ahead patients could receive a range of new services at Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust with trainee doctors and nurses from Manchester University coming to train at the Chorley hospital.

But there are concerns that Preston Acute Hospital would reap the benefits of the merger, leaving patients at the Chorley hospital denied adequate resources and staff.

Retired maintenance supervisor John Swindley, 63, said: "I think some people are worried that Chorley Hospital might play second fiddle to Preston Hospital."

But council leader of South Ribble Borough Council, Councillor Howard Gore, believes the proposed merger could be the start of great things to come at Chorley.

"I think this is another opening for the hospital to move forward, " Coun Gore said. "I know there was one time when it had no Accident and Emergency department and now it does.

"But I don't think there are any guarantees in the NHS anywhere."

Project director at the hospital Tony Curtis, who is overseeing the merger, has assured people the number of beds in the hospitals will not be cut and the number of medical staff will actually increase as a result of the merger.

Mr Curtis said: "The merger will protect services and help build new ones for both Chorley and Preston hospitals and will mean that specialist departments are not lost to other hospitals such as Manchester.

"A new teaching hospital will attract professors, senior medical staff who want to be in a teaching environment as well as there being financial benefits through funding."

All comments made by the public during the consultation period will be passed to Health Secretary Alan Milburn MP.

The next public meetings are today (Thursday), in the Richmond Street, Wellington Park Hotel, Leyland, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm and Thursday, February 21, at the Preston Business Centre, Sharoe Green Hospital, Preston, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.