Following issues raised about Blackburn Royal Teaching Hospital, Burnley and Padiham’s MP has visited to speak with the Chief Executive Martin Hodgson.
Antony Higginbotham MP who has been seeking views on local healthcare provision has said he wanted to visit “to see first-hand” the experiences of those using the service.
Meeting with the Director of Nursing, an Emergency Department Consultant and the General Manager, Antony raised concerns which have been brought to him over the past few weeks before taking a walk around the A&E.
Demand has soared over recent years with more resources needed to keep up with number of patients using the service. In turn, NHS funding has increased from around £158 billion in 2019/2020 to £181 billion in 2023/2024, an increase of 14.5%.
Alongside around 750 ambulance drop offs each week, thousands use Blackburn for a while range of treatments. But whilst there’s been a substantial increase in the number of beds available, the Trust is currently building more cubicles to keep patients from waiting on corridors.
Commenting after the visit Antony Higginbotham MP said:
Locally, we know how devastating it was when the Labour government closed the A&E at Burnley General Hospital. And so, what happens at Royal Blackburn matters more than ever!
Making sure it provides the treatment and care patients need is a must. And is why I visited to see first-hand what’s going on, having had concerns raised with me. There is clearly an issue with demand at the moment but the hospital has got a plan to increase the number of beds and I’m supporting them in delivering that.
I don’t want to see anybody waiting on a corridor. That’s completely unacceptable. So, for anybody who has experienced care that they don’t feel is adequate, please do be in touch with me. I’m keeping updated on the situation and will continue to feed in the views of patients.
Patients are being advised to check which service is best before heading to Blackburn. Depending on your injuries all options should be considered. 111, GP surgeries, pharmacists and Urgent Care in Burnley who are reportable far quieter than Blackburn.
