The review of Burnley General Hospital’s Urgent Care Centre gets under way this month and will be completed by 30 March when the report will be published. It will be led by Professor Matthew Cooke, the National Director for Emergency and Urgent Care and Dr Irving Cobden, Medical Director at Cumbria Primary Care Trust.

The review was promised by the Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, after meeting Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice on 9 November. It will be undertaken by the NHS North West Strategic Health Authority (SHA).

The MP has consistently pressed for an independent clinical review of the decision to downgrade Burnley’s A&E Department and centralise emergency care in Blackburn. But this is not on offer.

In his letter to the Pendle MP setting out the review’s terms of reference Burnham says the SHA will look at the functioning of the urgent care centre at Burnley to see whether it is delivering what was expected of it when the big hospital changes were implemented in November 2007.

The SHA has told Burnham: “The transfer of emergency services to Blackburn is unpopular in Burnley and Pendle, and similarly with regard to the maternity services transfer to Burnley, where concerns have been raised by women from Blackburn who find their care move. Local councils and MPs have also voiced concern about the proposals and local MPs remain concerned about the ability of (the) local A&E department to cope with the demand caused by the closure of Burnley A&E.”

Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, commented: “Some people will say this review is a complete whitewash and will have nothing to do with it. Others, and I include myself here, recognise it is a second best but will nevertheless take the opportunity to highlight the failings of the current set-up and push for reinstatement of A&E at Burnley.”

“I have made it clear all along that blue light Accident and Emergency could return to Burnley if accompanied by a publicly available protocol stating which conditions could be treated there and which would have to go elsewhere. This is a straightforward and workable solution which is crying out to be considered properly. It should not be dismissed as eccentric.”

The MP continued: “On the positive side, I welcome the fact the report of the review panel will be published. We are told that “relevant” staff and patient groups will have the opportunity to contribute as well as local and national politicians. I have concerns about the meaning of the word “relevant” in this context and also whether any information will be withheld.”

The MP added: “The Conservative Shadow Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, has said on the record that he believes there is no reason why Burnley should not have its A&E back. In the light of this, I hope he will give evidence.”

“I am writing to Andrew Lansley urging him to meet the review panel to explain his thinking.”

“I also hope the Liberal Democrats will participate. I know that my own colleagues in the Labour Party, such as my friend Peter Pike who has battled for years against the over centralisation at Blackburn, will make their voices heard.”

“Now is the time for people to speak out.”

Note for Editors: Scans of a letter from Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, to Gordon Prentice, together with an annex from the SHA, are attached