Council asked to prevent community hospital closure

A local authority has received a request to press Health Secretary Wes Streeting to halt the shutdown of a community hospital, which has been operational for 130 years. Hyndburn Council is scheduled to review the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust’s resolution to close Accrington Victoria Hospital. The trust disclosed last month its intention to close the community health facility situated on Haywood Road, citing concerns over safety. Paul Cox of the Labour party, representative for Milnshaw ward, has advocated for capital expenditure on the structure as an alternative. Martin Hodgson, the trust’s chief executive, stated that Accrington Victoria was in a “critical condition” and “beyond repair”. He mentioned that significant sections of the hospital, originally constructed in 1894, had already been shut down. Mr Hodgson reported that its roof had collapsed, that the building was “full of asbestos”, and that it would be “dangerous to remain there”. He indicated that essential services would continue to be available in the town for local residents, with the majority relocating approximately one mile distant. However, Sarah Smith, Hyndburn’s recently elected Labour MP, has already pledged to bring the campaign to preserve the hospital’s operation directly to the office of Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The proposal put forward by Mr. Cox, which was supported by Andrew Clegg, a fellow Labour councillor for Milnshaw, stated: “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 mentioned that the council intends to establish 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”. Zak Khan, the Conservative opposition leader for Hyndburn Council, commented: “Any future working group or actions need to be open and transparent so that residents fully understand the decisions being taken.”