CRITICALLY ill patients across the Fylde are to benefit from a new high dependency unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

The eight-bedded unit, which was revealed in last week's Citizen, opened in the former intensive care unit this week and will significantly increase the number of critical care beds at the hospital.

The intensive care unit has moved into the new £30m Phase V development.

The Trust has been given nearly £1.2m from the Government's Critical Care Modernisation Fund to expand its facilities and recruit extra doctors and nurses, and an additional £8,000 has been invested by the Trust to equip the unit.

James Eddington, directorate manager for anaesthetics and theatres, said: "The opening of this unit will enable us to provide appropriate care to critically ill patients who fall between requiring care treatment and the general wards. Patients can expect to receive high quality care under the close medical supervision of staff who are specially trained to care for critically ill patients."

Director of critical care Dr Chris Clarke added: "This allows us to offer the closest monitoring and support to patients undergoing complex surgery.

"It should also prevent the cancellation of major elective surgery, even when the hospital is very busy."