New Clitheroe Hospital opens soon

According to health officials, equipment will begin being moved from the old hospital into the new £7.4m. facility, on land off Chatburn Road, on Monday May 19th, with the new hospital fully up and running by Thursday May 22nd.

There will be minimum disruption to in-patients as they move over to the new wards on the Wednesday, May 21st. The old hospital building will be closed with no access for staff and patients from midnight on May 21st.

The new hospital boasts 32 in-patient beds, with 16 in individual rooms featuring en suite bathrooms. There will be three physiotherapy teams, one occupational therapy team, special care dentistry treatment, diagnostic facilities, a new radiology department and an expanded out-patient department with eight consulting rooms.

In addition, Clitheroe’s ambulance station is also to move to the new hospital site from its ageing base in Princess Avenue.

Jim Birrell, interim chief executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This modern environment will provide first-class working facilities for staff and a comfortable home-from-home for patients and visitors.”

l An official opening ceremony for the new hospital will be performed by “Coronation Street” actor Malcolm Hebden, who plays Norris Cole, on Monday June 9th.