SPECIALIST consultants are set to be appointed by Burnley health bosses to investigate the best way forward for the future of Rossendale Hospital.

But an urgent meeting of health watchdogs, local MPs and the health trust to discuss the situation could be in doubt.

Community Health Council members who challenged hospital chiefs to stop dragging their feet over the future of the hospital got Hyndburn MP Greg Pope and Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson to agree to clear-the-air talks with the trust and even set the date for the meeting in the hospital itself.

But in a report to his board of directors, trust chief executive David Chew indicates he does not feel the time is right for such a meeting.

He says: "I am not sure that this will help at this stage and would prefer to await the outcome of the specialist consultants' work so that hard facts can be presented."

He is calling for a decision from directors at Tuesday's board meeting. The board will be asked to give the go-ahead to consultants coming in to explore three options for the future of hospital services in Rossendale, revealed by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph two weeks ago.

The options are:

Concentrating all services around the main surgeries and wards area, building extensions to accommodate the present out-patient and mental health services elsewhere on the hospital site.

Developing all services around Balladen House at the more accessible lower Haslingden Road area of the site -- involving new in-patient, day hospital, outpatient and support services centre and scrapping the main hospital complex.

Selling up the large site, worth many millions of pounds for housing, and providing purpose-built central services elsewhere in the borough.

Community Health Council chairman Frank Clifford said growing public concern over Rossendale made an urgent meeting between the trust, local MPs and other interested parties vital.