HOSPITAL managers have been accused of "appalling" behaviour after social services were not told of plans to close a ward for elderly people.

A health boss admitted last night that council staff who provide social services in the community did not know one of three rehabilitation wards at Blackburn Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, was to shut.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed last month that ward B4 -- which cared mostly for older people -- had temporarily closed because of a staffing crisis.

The news was slammed by a patients' spokesman who said it was "absolutely essential" social services were informed so they could plan care for pensioners once they left hospital.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's head of social services said "better warnings" must be given.

Anne Asher, divisional director for acute services at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "It is fair to say we didn't consult with social services and I think we can learn from that."

Speaking at a meeting of the council's health overview and scrutiny committee, Mrs Asher said managers had "needed to take a decision very quickly".

Stephen Sloss, director of social services, said he "felt it necessary" to write to the trust after the closure, on November 11.

He added: "It would be good to get better warnings so we can make sure we can make any provisions necessary."

He said the department was "taken a little bit by surprise" by the move which, at the time, the trust said would not "have an adverse impact on patient care"

Trust chief executive, Jo Cubbon, said: "We have to get a great deal smarter about how we plan with our partners."

After the meeting, John Amos, vice-chairman of the Patient and Public Involvement Forum, a watchdog which oversees the trust, said: "We are concerned everybody gets rehabilitation services they require and everything is ready when they get home.

"To learn that social services weren't contacted at the beginning is appalling because it is essential in planning and discharging patients that social services can provide what the person needs when they go home."

Mrs Asher said the ward was due to reopen on January 9, 11 days earlier than first predicted. She said ward staff called for the closure because there were too many empty posts. The Trust has said staff leaving, sickness and maternity leave was to blame for the vacancies.