THE chief executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has spoken out to assure the Chorley community they will not lose their accident and emergency department.

Tony Curtis said that both Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, and the Royal Preston Hospital will keep their accident and emergency departments, but Chorley will lose its emergency surgery provision.

"If I was to receive any advice that the proposals would in any way affect the provision of two accident and emergency departments these proposals will not go forward," he said.

He called a press conference amid community fears that the local emergency department would close after plans detailing a £6.5 million reorganisation were revealed.

The services were originally fought for in 1977 in the Chorley Hospital Crusade when more than 7,000 people marched through the town.

Mr Curtis, who lives in Chorley, said: "There are 47,000 people who use the A&E department in Chorley every year.

"It's vital that we keep the department in Chorley. It provides a superb local service for the people and a first class standard of care.

"If professionals came forward and told me the proposals were not viable then we would not go ahead with them."

But Mr Curtis has the support of his staff.

Muntzer Munghal, a consultant surgeon responsible for the development of surgical services at the hospital, said: "My colleagues and I are very proud of the services we have developed at the hospital over the years. This is testament to the commitment of all staff and support of the local community that we serve.

"However, changes in the working hours of doctors, which came into effect this month mean that it is just not possible to maintain the range of emergency surgical services at Chorley in the future.

"It is because of this that surgeons at Chorley have given their backing to the proposals."

What do you think? Let us know your view by writing to The Citizen office at 45-47 Pall Mall, Chorley, PR7 3LT or calling 01257 269313.

See our letters page this week for more of your views on the proposals.