CIVIC chiefs have called an emergency meeting to discuss fears over the possible loss of critical care beds at the town's hospital.
The extraordinary meeting has been called after serious concerns were raised about the closure of emergency units.
Health bosses last month said intensive care and high dependency beds could be removed from either Blackburn's Queen's Park Hospital or Burnley General Hospital and placed on one site.
But union chiefs say Burnley is the one likely to lose out.
East Lancashire Hospitals Trust is drawing up four options for the future of the area's hospitals, two of which could see intensive care removed from Burnley General.
Councillors will meet next Thursday at 7pm to voice their worries over the trust options.
Trust chief executive Jo Cubbon and Burnley MP Kitty Ussher have been invited.
The Mayor of Burnley Coun Roger Frost called the meeting on behalf of the Liberal Democrat group on the council.
Lib Dem leader Gordon Birtwistle said: "We want some explanation about where on earth this hideous idea has come from.
"If Burnley lost its emergency care and patients had to be taken to Blackburn, the extra journey time would mean they could well be dead by the time they arrived.
"Ambulances might just as well start delivering straight to the undertakers."
The meeting comes as the campaign against the proposed shake-up of hospital services gathers pace with bill boards, petitions and other public meetings planned to fight closures.
Unison is to place about 10 billboards throughout East Lancashire from November 21.
And a month before the deadline for public comments is up, a union and patient watchdog is calling for patients and staff to air their views on the plans.
A public meeting will be held later this month at the James Hargreaves Suite at Burnley Football Club.
It is being organised by the patient forum which acts as a watchdog for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Peter Dales, staff side secretary at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and Tim Ellis, UNISON regional officer for the Lancashire NHS have written to health bosses and council's outlining concerns too.
Burnley MP Kitty Ussher is collecting signatures for a petition and holding meetings with hospital staff, trade unions and patients groups.
She said: "Now is the time for the people of Burnley, Padiham and surrounding areas to make the strongest possible noise and show that there is overwhelming public support for our hospital. We need to shout from the rooftops in the next couple of weeks."
Both Mrs Ussher and Pendle MP Gordon Prentice are also planning to meet Ms Cubbon.
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