'Don't underestimate Longridge elders' - dozens join in demonstration over hospital ward closure

Banners on display yesterday (March 11) included: ‘Don’t underestimate the elders of Longridge. When is our hospital reopening?” and ‘Local beds for local rehabilitation’.

The aim was to show the strength of local feeling to bosses at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust over the closure of a 15-bed inpatient ward, that has now been temporarily moved across the county.

Protest organisers say they are concerned people are now having to travel to Chorley Hospital to visit loved ones, a trip that can involve four buses and four hours, not including visiting time.

Organiser Julie Traynor said: “The population of Longridge is growing enormously, with about eight building sites on the go at the moment - and a quarter of population is over the age of 65.

“We’re not being entitled calling for this ward to reopen, we need it. And having beds in Longridge will take pressure off Preston and Chorley.”

One person at the protest said: “I worked at Longridge Hospital for nine years, I loved every minute of it. There was nowhere better for end of life care, it was second to none. Both of my parents died here and the care was unbelieveable.”

Another person described the care of her husband at the hospital was “out of this world.”

Why has the hospital closed?

Last year the inpatient ward at Longridge Community Hospital was temporarily reduced from 15 beds to five due to fire safety concerns, introduced in case there was a need “to safely evacuate frail and older patients from the first floor of the unit in an emergency”.

Although a programme of works was approved to upgrade the building, further inspections identified wider issues. As a result, NHS partners said a decision was “regrettably taken to temporarily close the remaining five inpatient beds at Longridge Hospital to ensure ongoing safety for our patients and colleagues”.

The hospital itself remains open with outpatient clinics continuing as normal.

The inpatient ward at Chorley Hospital is named Longridge@Cuerden, and service bosses say they are “hearing lots of positive feedback from those using the service.”

The latest

This week, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust issued an update on the situation. They said: ““At present, the NHS is exploring what is possible in line with the fire safety concerns which were previously identified, any potential timescales for such and also the possible cost impact, while considering best value for taxpayers’ money and that patients have access to the services they need in a safe and appropriate location,” read the statement. “This will take some time.”

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