Frequently asked questions

Vascular services treat blocked, narrowed or weak blood vessels. Arteries carry blood away from the heart, and veins carry blood back to the heart.

Vascular surgery covers a range of surgical procedures undertaken on veins and the lymphatic system (an important part of the body's immune system) – but the most important part of the vascular surgeon’s work is to reconstruct, unblock, or bypass arteries.

Treatment can help prevent strokes, save limbs and, in some cases, save lives. Many people can be treated with medicines and regular checks, while some people need planned or emergency surgery.

Vascular teams can include vascular surgeons, specialist nurses, ward and theatre teams, interventional radiologists, vascular scientists and sonographers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, administrative and coordination staff, and other professionals such as dietitians, psychologists and social support teams when needed.

The NHS is consulting because it has developed a proposal to create one vascular network and one specialist arterial centre for planned and emergency inpatient vascular surgery. We want to understand whether the proposal is clear, what people think its benefits may be, any concerns people have, and how possible negative impacts could be reduced.

No final decision has been made. Consultation feedback will be independently analysed and used to assess the proposal before a final decision is made.

National guidance says vascular services should work as a network, with one main hub hospital for arterial surgery and complex treatment. The main centre should serve a large enough population, provide specialist care around the clock and have the facilities and teams needed for complex vascular surgery.

The current service has two centres and does not meet every part of this model. The proposal is intended to create a more joined-up and resilient service with consistent standards across the area.

The current vascular service in Lancashire and South Cumbria was set up in 2013. Royal Blackburn Hospital and Royal Preston Hospital both provide inpatient vascular care. Local hospitals provide clinics, tests and suitable day-case treatment.

People in Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire mainly use Royal Blackburn Hospital for inpatient treatment. People in Blackpool, South Cumbria, Wigan and the rest of Lancashire mainly use Royal Preston Hospital.

The proposal has two parts. First, hospitals and staff would work as one vascular network hosted by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. Second, Royal Preston Hospital would become the single specialist arterial centre for planned and emergency inpatient vascular surgery.

This is not a proposal to move every vascular service to Preston. Clinics, tests, suitable day cases, rehabilitation and follow-up would continue locally.

For most appointments, tests, suitable day cases, rehabilitation and follow-up, you would continue to be seen locally.

People living in Blackpool, South Cumbria, Wigan and the rest of Lancashire already mainly use Royal Preston Hospital for inpatient vascular surgery.

Royal Preston Hospital was identified as the preferred site because it provides the strongest existing network platform and was the only option assessed as meeting the required on-site clinical co-dependencies for the arterial hub.

It is already the major trauma centre for Lancashire and South Cumbria. It also has services needed on the same site, including critical care, general surgery, anaesthetics, stroke services, CT and MRI, diagnostic imaging, interventional radiology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

The proposal would mainly affect people from East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen who currently go to Royal Blackburn Hospital for a planned or emergency inpatient stay. Current data estimates this at around 540 patients each year.

For most people elsewhere in Lancashire, South Cumbria and Wigan, the place they use for inpatient vascular surgery would not change.

If you needed planned or emergency vascular surgery requiring an inpatient stay, you would go to Royal Preston Hospital. After surgery, follow-up and rehabilitation would be provided as close to home as possible.

Some people from East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen would need to travel further for inpatient vascular surgery at Royal Preston Hospital. Emergency patients would normally be transported by ambulance.

For planned care, some people may be eligible for non-emergency patient transport. Some people on a low income or certain benefits may also be able to claim travel costs. Eligibility rules apply.

Patients arriving for surgery at the elective surgical unit at Royal Preston Hospital can use a door-side drop-off point. Lancashire Teaching Hospitals will review parking capacity and options to manage any increase in demand.

Information about driving, parking and public transport is available from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals using the links at the end of this document.

The NHS would aim to keep the time you need to stay at the specialist centre as short as clinically appropriate. Visitors would need to make their own travel arrangements.

The consultation is seeking views about the possible effect of extra travel on patients, families and carers, including travel time and cost.

No change is proposed to the local provision of rehabilitation and follow-up. These services would continue in the community or at a network hospital, as close to home as possible.

You should see the same consultant where possible. During an inpatient stay or an emergency, you may be cared for by other members of the on-call vascular team.

Staff would work as one network and the appropriate professionals involved in your care would have access to the information they need, so you should not have to repeatedly explain your circumstances.

Your information would only be shared with appropriate staff supporting your care, in line with NHS information governance requirements. Network teams would use shared information and regular multidisciplinary meetings to coordinate your treatment.

How can I be sure local hospital staff will know about my treatment if it’s being managed by a hospital in Preston?

The benefit of working in a network is that all staff will work together as part of one integrated team. They will all have access to your notes and treatment plan. They will also have regular meetings with professionals from all specialties coming together to discuss your case, so they all know what others are doing and what they need to do too.

Anyone who lives in, works in, or uses vascular services in Lancashire, South Cumbria or Wigan can respond. We are particularly keen to hear from people who live in East Lancashire (including Blackburn with Darwen) because they are most affected by the proposed change.

You can complete the consultation survey online or on paper. You can also speak to the consultation team at public drop-in listening sessions and at selected vascular outpatient clinics.

If you complete a paper copy of the survey, please return it to this address:

FREEPOST
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB

Please read the consultation booklet before completing the questionnaire. There is also a summary version and other accessible format versions available that you may prefer to read instead or as well.

Responses must be received by Friday 27 November 2026. Your feedback will be anonymised for the consultation report. Please do not include information that identifies individual patients or staff in free-text responses.

Yes. The consultation materials include a full booklet, a summary booklet, frequently asked questions, an Easy Read booklet and a British Sign Language video. The ICB website also provides translation and audio tools.

You can request printed, translated or alternative-format information, including large print or Braille, by contacting the consultation team.

All feedback will be collected and independently analysed. The findings will be used to assess the proposal before a final decision is made.

A decision-making business case will then go through the relevant NHS assurance and governance processes. The NHS will explain how consultation feedback was considered and what happens next.