AN MP is pressing the government for a new satellite dialysis unit in his constituency.

Burnley MP Peter Pike told Health Minister John Denham there was a lack of facilities for sufferers in north East Lancashire.

He said that Health Secretary Alan Milburn opened an extension to the kidney unit at the Royal Preston Hospital at the end of last year - but that was not adequate for the needs of local people.

Mr Pike said: "I welcome that, but we need additional satellite facilities in North East Lancashire, perhaps in Burnley."

Mr Denham said the government was determined to increase the number of dialysis units by 450 to treat another 1,850 kidney patients and improve treatment for a further 1,200 existing patients by 2004.

Mr Denham told Mr Pike: "I can confirm that the North West will be receiving about £1.25million of new capital to develop dialysis services in the coming year. That will increase the number of haemodialysis stations in the region."

Afterwards Mr Pike pledged to continue to press for a new unit in Burnley. He said: "The extension at the Royal Preston Hospital was very important but we need more satellite dialysis units. We have one in Hyndburn and one in Pendle but we need another as they are both working at full capacity.

"I would accept one anywhere in North East Lancashire but would prefer one in my constituency. Burnley is ideally situated between Hyndburn and Pendle."

Chairman of Burnley NHS Trust, David Chew, said today: "We would be absolutely delighted if this decision was made to locate the new unit in this area."

Frank Clifford, chairman of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Community Health Council, said they were 100 per cent behind Mr Pike.

He said: "We already have a dialysis unit at Accrington but obviously we would definitely welcome additional resources. There is an ever increasing number of people in need of dialysis and there really is a need for still more beds. We would certainly welcome the move that Mr Pike is making."

Mr Clifford did however express concerns that extra money would also have to be made available to provide fully trained nurses and consultants.

He said: "It is alright getting money for extra beds and a new unit but we need the same amount of money again to manage these extra facilities. It is a comprehensive package that we need."