AN urgent care centre may not open at Rawtenstall’s health hub until next April, it has been revealed.

But political leaders in the Valley are relieved to hear a new date has been pencilled in for the long-awaited move.

Rossendale MP Jake Berry has been in talks with East Lancs Primary Care Trust over opening the unit at the Bacup Road centre.

The urgent care facility was due to open last autumn but was delayed by an NHS-wide review of new health projects.

Another possible opening was mooted for February and a campaign has been launched, pressing for action on the delays, which has attracted 500 signatures.

The MP said he had been told by the PCT that the centre should begin operating by April 2012 at the latest.

He added: “Although the date seems some time off, we have to accept this facility will take a while to commission.

“In my discussions with the PCT I have learned that they will be recruiting new dedicated staff for the urgent care centre, and commissioning other healthcare professionals to work in the valley.”

Council leader Coun Alyson Barnes said she understood two years’ funding for the urgent care centre had been secured.

An analysis of user numbers will then take place to determine the centre’s long-time future.

She added: “We have campaigned for this and it is important to the people of Rossendale.

"People need to use it when it does open.”