A REPORT by the Royal College of Surgeons has given its backing to proposed changes in emergency surgery provision at Chorley Hospital.

Richard Collins, a leading surgeon from the college, visited the hospital at the request of Chorley councillors and Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle over concerns that moving emergency surgery to Preston would prevent Chorley's A&E department from providing a full range of 24-hour services.

Mr Collins said these anxieties were 'unfounded'. "I have no doubt that (the changes) will enhance the clinical care of the patients for both Preston and Chorley," he said.

"I believe there is a strong commitment to make the system work by dedicated doctors and I am also happy that the anxieties about any significant impact on the A&E services are unfounded."

But he admitted there were concerns over the provision of out-of-hours care for elective surgical patients or surgical problems developing in medical patients.

He said: "We have had full and frank discussions with all concerned and recognise there is a potential problem.

"I have suggested that it is important that a strict protocol for calling surgeons early in the day when they need to give an opinion must be agreed."

Tony Curtis, chief executive, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said the report would released in full to the public and added: "We firmly believe that the report provides a full and unequivocal backing for our proposals."

Mr Hoyle said: "I am pleased that the Royal College state that the A&E will not suffer as a consequence of this change.

"It is clear that the trust has learnt an important lesson which is that decision over our local hospital cannot be taken without listening to public opinion."