Lancashire Teaching Hospitals can confirm it is now in a position to safely return Chorley and South Ribble Hospital’s Emergency Department to its pre-Covid opening hours.
The Trust had previously committed to working towards the reinstatement of a 12-hour operating model, as soon as it was possible to do so. In November 2020, the Department reopened on an 8-hour basis and from 15 March 2021, the Emergency Department at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital will be operational on a 12-hour basis, accepting adult patients only from 8am – 8pm.
Children or young people (under 18 years of age) needing A&E services will be taken to Royal Preston Hospital to ensure they receive the best care in the right place. Additionally, any pregnant women needing A&E services will also be taken to Preston for the same reason.
Patients suffering complex fractures or major trauma injuries will also be treated at the Royal Preston. As a major trauma centre, with clinicians who are highly trained and experienced in treating complex broken bones and/or life-threatening injuries, the Royal Preston Hospital is the most appropriate place for this type of care.
Adults and children will continue to have access to the 24/7 Urgent Care Centre (UCC) at Chorley. The UCC can treat a wide range of minor ailments, for both children and adults, with more information available on the Trust website here.
Karen Partington, Chief Executive at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We promised that we would return the Emergency Department at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital to a 12-hour service and we are delivering upon that promise.
“The move to a 12-hour operating model is possible because of many months of hard work by colleagues across the Trust, particularly the Emergency Department team who have all gone above and beyond during this pandemic.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, whose support and mutual aid has been key to developing these plans.”
The Trust, CCGs and other local system partners will continue to support patients to access the most appropriate service for their needs.
