CLOSURE OF BLUE LIGHT ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY AT BURNLEY GENERAL HOSPITAL

That this House is appalled and outraged at the decision of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council to accept the proposed closure of blue light accident and emergency at Burnley General Hospital despite vocal opposition from the Public and Patient Involvement Forum, local hon. Members and thousands of local people; believes that the Committee's call for a review in 12 months time misses the point entirely and that the proposals as brought forward by the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust were, from the outset, deeply flawed; and further believes the councillors concerned have let down those who trusted in their judgement and that they must take full responsibility for their decision and its consequences.