Blackburn residents invited to drop in and have their say on vascular services

People in Blackburn and the surrounding areas are being encouraged to drop in and find out more about proposed changes to vascular services across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) is currently conducting an eight-week consultation on a proposal to create a single vascular network across hospitals in the region, hosted by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Under the proposal, Royal Preston Hospital would become the single specialist centre for planned and emergency inpatient vascular surgery.

The proposal does not mean that all vascular care would move to Preston. Clinics, tests, suitable day-case treatment, follow-up appointments and rehabilitation would continue to be provided at local hospitals as they always have.

The proposed changes would mostly impact people in East Lancashire who currently use Royal Blackburn Hospital for inpatient vascular surgery, which is why the NHS is encouraging local people, patients, families and carers to find out more and share their views. Royal Preston Hospital is already used for specialist vascular surgery for patients in South Cumbria, Wigan and the rest of Lancashire.

The ICB is holding two informal drop-in sessions at Blackburn Central Library, in Town Hall Street:

• Wednesday 4 November, between 10am and 12pm
• Saturday 21 November, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm

These are drop-in sessions rather than meetings with a set start time. People can arrive at any point during the advertised times and stay for as little or as long as they wish. There is no need to book.

Mr Andy Curran, the ICB’s co-medical director, said: “We really want to hear from as many people as possible about these proposals, particularly people in East Lancashire who could be most affected by the changes.

“That’s why we’re not just asking people to complete a questionnaire. We’ve been getting out into local communities, working with community groups and charities and speaking directly to patients at outpatient clinics, to make sure people from all walks of life have the opportunity to understand the proposals and have their voice heard.

“These drop-in sessions in Blackburn are another opportunity to come and talk to us. There’s no need to arrive at a particular time or stay for the whole session. Just drop in when it suits you, ask questions, find out more and tell us what you think.

“No final decision has been made, and we genuinely want to understand people’s views before the consultation closes.”

People attending the drop-in sessions can ask questions about the proposal and share any benefits, concerns or potential impacts they think should be considered. All feedback will be independently analysed and reported to the ICB before a decision is made.

One of the organisations that the ICB has partnered with is Inspire Motivate Overcome (IMO) - a community third sector organisation, based in Blackburn with Darwen.

Mohammed Tayyab Sidat MBE, chief executive of IMO Charity, said: “At IMO, we believe that local communities must have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their health and wellbeing.

“Our role is to ensure that people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to understand the proposals, ask questions and share their views. Through our community engagement sessions, we will be reaching out to residents across East Lancashire, particularly those whose voices are not always heard, to ensure their experiences, concerns and perspectives are reflected in the consultation.”

IMO will be holding multiple engagement sessions with groups across East Lancashire. To find out more, please visit our website: https://www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/have-your-say/vascular-transformation

The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 27 November 2026.

Anyone who cannot attend one of the drop-in sessions can still take part in the consultation. Information, FAQs and the consultation questionnaire are available on the ICB's webpage above. You can also email lscicb.haveyoursay@nhs.net or call 0300 373 3550 to request printed information packsAnyone who cannot attend one of the drop-in sessions can still take part in the consultation. Information, FAQs and the consultation questionnaire are available on the ICB's webpage above. You can also email lscicb.haveyoursay@nhs.net or call 0300 373 3550 to request printed information packs.