NEW mental health units for East and Central Lancashire – discussed for the past decade – are officially back on track.

Land close to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, off Haslingden Road, has been earmarked for a new 116-bed Pennine Lancashire centre since at least 2014.

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But replacements for mental health wards at the Blackburn Queen’s Park, Burnley General and Chorley hospital sites have been debated since 2006.

Now Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust bosses say new in-patient sites are moving ahead, with a final sign-off expected in January.

If the programme moves ahead as anticipated, it could mean 296 beds being offered across four locations – two new units in East and Central Lancashire and fledgling centres in Blackpool and Lancaster.

However there is an ongoing review concerning psychiatric in-patient beds, to establish whether people are being treated in the right setting.

Dr Leon le Roux, the trust’s adult mental network clinical director, said: “This review was triggered by the growing observation levels required to safely manage psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs).”

Another review is focusing on high-risk patients, covering those treated at Guild Lodge, the trust’s medium-secure unit.

Earlier this year the trust admitted it was paying £50,000 per night to fund out-of-area treatments and staff had to be diverted from care work to tackle ‘extreme’ winter pressures.

Last night a Lancashire Care spokesman said: “The trust and its commissioners continue to work together to determine the range of mental health services that will be required for Lancashire in the future.”

Hillview at Queen’s Park now houses a crisis support unit and a 12-bed male assessment ward. The Edisford ward at Burnley General also now has a 12-bed female assessment ward.

Six clinical assessment chairs are also being provided at Blackburn, in a bid to deflect admissions. An options appraisal will be unveiled at Lancashire Care’s board next month. The trust offered 790 beds in 2006.