This week, he told Pendle and Burnley councils to sit down with local NHS chiefs and discuss concerns about changes to the local health service.

The MP says it is in no one's interests for a "war of attrition" to develop between the local authorities and the NHS.

Both councils passed highly critical resolutions last month calling for the reinstatement of blue light A&E at Burnley General Hospital and for the East Lancashire Hospital Trust Board to be sacked.

The MP said: "I do not want my local council, or Burnley, lobbing shells at the NHS from long range. I want the councils to spell out their concerns in detail so they can be addressed, across the table, by the NHS and with the involvement of doctors and clinicians.

"I have therefore asked the East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, as the NHS commissioning body, to meet both councils as soon as can be arranged."

Mr Prentice added: "Local people have two main concerns. The first is about the quality of treatment they can expect and, secondly, about the distance people have to travel to get to the A&E at Blackburn. It is not just about getting patients there quickly and safely – there are issues for people visiting friends and relatives in hospital. Getting to a distant hospital can be a hassle."

Gary Graham, Acting Chief Executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We welcome Mr Prentice's comments and remain more than willing to discuss any concerns with stakeholders about the recent changes to health services in East Lancashire.

"At the Trust we have always held the opinion that addressing specific issues directly via face-to-face meetings is much more productive than responding to scaremongering and rumour in the public arena which ultimately benefits no one, least of all our patients.

"As the main provider of hospital services in East Lancashire, it is our responsibility to offer reassurance, clarity and peace of mind to the local community that they will receive the highest standard of care when they come to our hospitals.

"We sincerely hope others will follow Mr Prentice's lead and talk to us in a responsible and measured way to give us the opportunity to let the facts speak for themselves and work with us to ensure we continue to provide high quality services that our patients have confidence in."