HEALTH watchdogs today attacked a leaked closure hit list of hospital casualty departments that could lead to a huge increase in work for East Lancashire hospitals and force patients to travel further for treatment.

The Royal Preston, Chorley and Ormskirk's casualty departments as well as Airedale Hospital in Keighley are included in the hit list of 66 across the country in the Audit Commission report.

Their closure would put extra pressure on Blackburn Royal Infirmary and Burnley General Hospital's hard-pressed casualty units which already face staffing problems.

Auditors are recommending a review of all smaller units within 10 miles of others -and which receive fewer than 50,000 patients a year. The report paints a grim picture of casualty departments creaking under the strain of staff shortages and soaring patient demand. And doctors and nurses are struggling to cope with a 33 per cent rise in cases over the past 15 years.

Frank Clifford, chairman of the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Community Health Council said he was "alarmed and concerned" by the report.

"The closure of somewhere like Airedale would have a devastating effect on this area. Burnley's casualty department is already overstretched and what if they couldn't cope. Patients from areas like Barnoldswick who sometimes go to Airedale would be faced with a very long journey to Bradford.

"The problem is these auditors just sit there with a map and a set of figures and come up with these ideas. It is not about clinical effectiveness and proper funding as it should be."

Nigel Robinson of the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley CHC said the proposals would put more pressure on local A & E departments.

"I think this is one of the most stupid suggestions to come out of the Audit Commission

This hitlist appears to work on the assumption that everyone has transport and that it doesn't snow.

"And the closure of A&E departments would have knock on effects on a whole range of services at a hospital such as orthopaedics." County council leader Louise Ellman said she was appalled by the suggestion that Lancashire could lose three casualty departments.

"It appears we have a health service run for accountants and administrators and not patients. I don't accept the argument that larger department provide better care in all cases."

Mrs Ellman said the county council would be making strong representations to the Audit Commission over its recommendations.

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