Call to block closure of community hospital

Last month it was announced Accrington Victoria Hospital would close because of safety fears

A council has been asked to urge Health Secretary Wes Streeting to block the closure of a 130-year-old community hospital.

Hyndburn Council is set to examine East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust's decision to shut Accrington Victoria Hospital.

Last month the trust announced it was to close the community health hub on Haywood Road because of safety fears.

Labour's Paul Cox, who represents Milnshaw ward, has called for investment in the building instead.

Trust chief executive Martin Hodgson said Accrington Victoria was in a "critical condition" and "beyond repair".

He said large parts of the hospital, built in 1894, had been closed.

Mr Hodgson said its roof had collapsed, that the building was "full of asbestos", and that would be "dangerous to remain there".

He said main services would remain in the town for local people, with most moving only about a mile away.

'Vital services'

But Hyndburn’s new Labour MP Sarah Smith has already vowed to take the fight to keep the hospital open to the office of Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Mr Cox’s motion, seconded by fellow Milnshaw Labour councillor Andrew Clegg, read: "This council is hugely disappointed in the East Lancashire Health Trust decision to close Accrington Victoria Hospital.

"As such a short timetable was released by the trust, we feel it failed to allow residents and the community to have their voices heard.

"We feel as a council this action has disproportionately affected Hyndburn residents, and particularly those of Accrington.

"This council asks the trust to pause this action rather than close it and invest in the building and vital services it delivers."

He said the council would look to create a working group "to look at forming a plan that will offer a solution to ongoing building issues and look to access funding that will ensure Hyndburn residents are given fair and proportional healthcare based in the heart of our town".

Hyndburn Council’s opposition leader, Conservative Zak Khan, said: "Any future working group or actions need to be open and transparent so that residents fully understand the decisions being taken."