HEALTH bosses are "looking in earnest" at options which could lead to the closure of Rossendale Hospital.

A think-tank of Burnley Health Trust managers is weighing up the present use of the over-large hospital site against building new community health facilities elsewhere in the Valley.

Trust chief executive David Chew outlines major changes taking place at the hospital in a report to Wednesday's meeting of Trust directors.

He said: "We are now looking in earnest at options to make the best use of existing building capacity at the hospital against the cost of a new build. This work will be completed by the end of the financial year."

Current changes taking place at the hospital include a cut in surgical services from five-night cover to three nights, in line with a strategy to create an extended day case surgery.

Plans are also in hand to establish a 24-bed rehabilitation ward before the winter.

In addition:

£130,000 of equipment has been installed to support the development of new out-patients' clinics and a new gastroenterologist has been appointed and started a new clinic at the hospital.

Plans have been made to start a new neurology out-patient clinic later this year and arrangements are in hand for the new Elderly Severely Mentally Infirm day hospital and community team.

Plans are being made to move ward 9, mental health rehabilitation, into a community setting.

A report on their conclusions is expected to be published in the spring.

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