Royal Albert Fields are no longer the NHS’s stated preferred site for a mental health hospital – but many residents suspect that they still intend to pursue this site ‘by the back door’. Lancashire Care NHS Trust is currently consulting the public on 3 options:
Option 1: Refurbish the existing hospital at Ridge Lea (Lancaster).
Option 2: Close Ridge Lea in 2012 and send patients to Blackpool.
Option 3: Close Ridge Lea and re-use existing buildings on Ashton Road.
Green Cllr Chris Coates (pictured) said: “The NHS prefers Option 3, but concentrating more services on Ashton Road could make it easier for them to develop Royal Albert fields later on. I will push for Option 1, and I urge residents to do the same.”
For more info, see: http://www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/consultations.php . The deadline for responses is 21 Sept. A consultation event will take place at the Trust’s Lancaster HQ (Moor Lane Mill) on Monday 7th Sept, 6-8pm.
