HEALTH chiefs have come under fire after it was revealed no opening date has yet been set for Rossendale’s urgent care and birthing centres.

Several services including GP practices, the out-patients unit and Rossendale Hospice have transferred to the new Rawtenstall Primary Care Centre in Bacup Road.

And by August and September it is hoped that the x-ray and ultra-sound service, and community rehabiliation and pain clinics will be available in the valley.

But talks are still ongoing regarding the urgent care, minor injuries, birthing centre and GP out of hours service.

Internal discussions between health trusts as part of the Meeting Patients Needs board in May revealed that the Rossendale birthing centre had forced East Lancashire’s women and children’s health programme to go over budget.

East Lancashire Hospital Trust communications director Mark Walkingshaw said that NHS East Lancashire had accepted additional funding was required for the centre and that this should not prove an obstacle for the project.

But NHS East Lancashire, the former primary care trust, faced tough questions when project head Peter Sellars outlined progress on the Rawtenstall health HQ at a Rossendale full council meeting.

Coun Granville Morris said: "Have you got any specific timescale for the opening of the urgent care centre and the birthing centre? Are we looking in the next few months?"

Coun Cathering Pilling said: "How is this phased approach being communicated to the public? Are they aware that we haven’t got our birthing centre yet?"

Coun Anne Cheetham said: "I would like to see more commitment to making sure these centres open – I don’t want it putting back to 2012 and the Olympic Games. I am surprised this has not been sorted out.

"I would like you to come back to us within a few months and this has been sorted out so we are not sending babies to be born in Blackburn, Burnley or Bury."

Mr Sellars said the new centre was always going to open on a phased basis. The Rossendale birthing centre was dependent on an East Lancashire wide women and children’s programme, including a new £31million hub at Burnley General Hospital.