HEALTH bosses in Chorley have updated major incident plans after a report said they were not fully prepared to deal with an emergency.

The findings by the Strategic Health Authority came after a draft incident plan was submitted by Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust in March.

The trust was classed as 'nearly prepared' but was told action was needed to improve aspects of the plans, including arrangements for chemical incidents.

Bosses took part in a mock flooding scenario in February and suggested amendments which have now been incorporated.

The new plans look set to be approved at a primary care trust board meeting at South Ribble Borough Council on Wednesday night.

Judith Faux, chief executive of the primary care trust said: "The Strategic Health Authority said we were 'almost prepared' to deal with a major incident.

"This was actually quite a positive response, they weren't saying we are not ready but suggested some minor additions to the plan.

"The changes we made were very slight and I believe we are now fully ready to deal with a major incident.

"One of their suggestions was to take part in practical exercises so we held a mock 'flooding' disaster which is more likely to happen in this area than, for instance, a chemical attack.

"Although it was done on a table top, it was very realistic and took us through a major incident step by step."

Chorley borough councillor Steve Holgate, a non-executive trust board member, said: "The strategic document draws together all local organisations to ensure we respond effectively to a major incident.

"It is a vital document but hopefully one we will never have to use."

The primary care trust's emergency plan includes dealing with major incidents such as chemical or radiation releases, outbreak of infectious diseases including meningitis, tuberculosis or E.Coli, evacuation or mass vaccination.

The lengthy document goes into intricate detail and includes telephone numbers of national experts on a range of diseases and infections, directions to local 'rest centres' -- including Chorley's All Seasons and Coppull Sports Centre -- where casualties could gather and step-by-step details on how to use telephones to set up conference calls.