CONTRACTORS moved into a threatened day hospital for the elderly in Burnley yesterday and "measured up'' around the patients and staff.

Health 'watchdog' chairman Coun Frank Clifford told the Community Health Council last night that he felt aggrieved and upset about what had happened.

The CHC has spearheaded opposition to the closure of the unit at Burnley General Hospital which would result in disruption for more than 40 long-term elderly patients.

Burnley Labour Party raised more than 550 letters of protest and Burnley MP Peter Pike also opposed the shutdown plan.

Burnley Health Trust say the day hospital should be closed but following the massive protests agreed to delay closure until April next year while negotiations continue with the CHC and East Lancashire Health Authority.

The Trust says patients needing medical treatment should be transferred to similar day hospitals at Rossendale General and Pendle community hospitals. It adds that many of the patients require social services rather than medical care.

Coun Clifford said the Trust now wanted to close the day hospital in October this year.

Only late that afternoon he had heard that outside contractors were on the ward measuring up for physical alterations.

No closure notice had been given to staff and there had been no indication to the CHC or general public.

Trust chairman Brian Foster said there was nothing sinister or mischievous about what was happening.

"Quite simply we are doing upgrading work on other wards," he said. "We need office space to accommodate people from those wards and we are looking to use space in the day hospital.

"By putting temporary offices in the day hospital we can get a clear run at it.''

Mr Foster said he could not give an assurance that the day hospital would be reinstated exactly as it was now.

The issue was that the day hospital was costing money, he added. Closing it in October rather than April would save £50,000 - money which could be used elsewhere.

"We are having dialogue with the CHC and East Lancashire Health Authority to see if we can come up with a satisfactory answer.''

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