HEALTH bosses have been accused of "breathtaking incompetence" and been urged to apologise after staff were mistakenly informed that a vital service at Rossendale Hospital was to close.

Frank Clifford, chairman of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Community Health Council (CHC), said patients and staff were in tears when an official letter notifying them of the impending closure of the occupational therapy service appeared on the hospital wards.

Burnley NHS Trust chief executive David Chew told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on Wednesday that there had been a mix up and also gave an assurance that the service would continue.

But Mr Clifford said after visiting the ward he felt certain the closure had been planned and he produced a copy of the official notice announcing withdrawal which had been on the wards for a week before Thursday's public outcry.

He said: "There was even another notice for the staff's leaving party on April 8 - that doesn't sound like a mix-up to me."

Coun Clifford said when he went to the hospital later on Thursday, staff were still unaware that the service was to continue - hours after Mr Chew had given his assurance. He said: "I had to show them my copy of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph to convince them.

"What is really unforgivable is that there has been no expression of regret by managers for the misery caused to staff and very vulnerable patients.

"It all seems like breathtaking incompetence."Now he is calling for top level talks with trust chiefs and consultants to thrash out the issue.

The notice announcing the withdrawal, from head occupational therapist Jill Jackson, said: "This situation arises from a number of factors which have significantly affected the resources available for OT staffing.

"I have discussed the situation in some detail with mental health directorate senior managers, but we have been unable to resolve the situation in the short term."

She adds that she would be reviewing the options for reinstating the service as soon as possible.

After the CHC revealed the announced closure, Mr Chew said there had been some confusion between two managers and the service was not going to be withdrawn.

Today Mr Chew said the situation was exactly what he said it was and had nothing further to add.

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