ANY threat to close Blackpool Victoria Hospital's cardiac unit was "absurd and ridiculous" said Wyre MP Hilton Dawson this week.

Mr Dawson met hospital chiefs in the wake of a North West Regional Health Authority list of proposals for improving heart care across the region. One option was merging Blackpool and Preston cardiac units on a new site in Preston.

But, said Mr Dawson: "Blackpool has some of the most up-to-date equipment in Europe in a unit which is the most efficient in the North West and has very high levels of clinical effectiveness.

"Vital facilities of such high standards should remain in Blackpool.

"Merging with Preston would involve massive capital cost which could be better used to develop health services. The health authority should be looking at further improving the situation at Blackpool, which serves a wide area of North and West Lancashire."

A health authority working party is now to explore the options further.

Mr Dawson, who was pleased to find a merger is strongly opposed by hospital chief executive David Gill and the hospital trust, is writing to health secretary Frank Dobson with his objections.

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