East Lancashire NHS

22/01/2026

To avoid overcrowding in the hospital Emergency Department and enable colleagues to treat people as quickly as possible, we ask that only one person accompany a patient receiving treatment - this can be increased if the patient is in a critical condition.

Children - any child under the age of 18 is able to have two parents or carers accompany them to the Emergency Department.

Make sure you are using the most appropriate service for health needs, click the link to find out more: https://elht.nhs.uk/choose-well

15/01/2026

Our choose well guide will help you find the the right health service for your needs.

14/01/2026

When someone is well enough to leave hospital, home is the best place to recover.

If you have a loved one ready to be discharged, please help us make their journey home as smooth as possible. Arrange transport if you can, and bring clean, comfortable clothes for them to wear. If you are able, check that their home is warm and welcoming, and make sure there’s something in the fridge for when they get back.

Every patient we can safely discharge frees up a bed for someone who urgently needs care. Thank you for helping us make this possible.

And please help us keep the Emergency Department for those who need it most. If it’s not life or limb-threatening, use NHS 111 online or by phone, your GP, pharmacy, an Urgent Treatment Centre or our Minor Injuries Unit. This makes a huge difference for patients who need emergency care.

If you are not sure which service would be suitable for your health needs, check out our website which has a guide, as well as live waiting times. Link is in the comments.

13/01/2026

🚐 The cervical screening bus is in Nelson tomorrow!

If you’re aged 25 to 64 and are overdue a screening, or have never been screened, you can get your cervical screening done today - no appointment needed.

📍Pendle West: Morrisons, Pendle Street, Nelson BB9 7UZ — 11:00-16:00

Cervical screening saves lives. It’s quick, simple, and could prevent cancer.

12/01/2026

Please consider which is the right health service for your current needs 🙏 Thankyou! 💙

Please help us keep emergency care for those who need it most. Our Emergency Department is currently seeing an increasing number of patients with very serious conditions.

The team is working tirelessly to provide care to everyone but right now, there are longer waits and crowded waiting rooms. We are sorry if you are impacted and appreciate your understanding.

If your condition isn’t life- or limb-threatening, there are other services that might be able to help you more quickly:
✅ Minor Injuries Unit – Acorn Centre, Accrington
✅ Urgent Treatment Centres – Burnley & Blackburn
✅ Local Pharmacies and GPs
✅ NHS 111 – Available 24/7 for advice and guidance

You can also make a big difference by helping someone who’s ready to leave hospital. If you know a friend or family member who is being discharged, could you help arrange transport? Every bed we free up helps another patient in need.

Visit our website for current waiting times and more information on finding the right please for your health needs: www.elht.nhs.uk/choose-well

Please help us by sharing this message.

12/01/2026

Check it, don’t chance it - act now on cancer.
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait. Early diagnosis saves lives.

Check it, don’t chance it — act now on cancer.

If a symptom sticks around, get it checked. Early diagnosis saves lives.

Look out for:

✔️ a new lump or bump
✔️ pain that won’t go
✔️ blood in your poo or wee
✔️ unexplained weight loss

Only 56% of cancers in Lancashire and South Cumbria are found at stages 1–2 (59% nationally). Our ambition is 78% by 2032. We’ll get there together if people seek help sooner.
You’re not wasting anyone’s time. Your GP will want to see you.

Find out more: https://orlo.uk/VOY9v

08/01/2026

👇👇

There is currently a high number of really poorly patients in our Emergency Department. You could really help us by thinking about the right place for help with your medical needs. Our teams are here to welcome you at the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) and Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC)👋.
The MIU team are based at the Acorn Centre, 421 Blackburn Rd, Accrington BB5 1RT they can treat: sprains and strains, broken bones, wound infections, minor burns and scalds, minor head injuries, insect and animal bites, minor eye injuries and injuries to the back, shoulder and chest. Their unit is open seven days a week from 8am until 8.30pm.
Our team at UTC are based at Burnley General Hospital, can treat suspected broken bones or breathing difficulties which need immediate care but are not life-threatening and are available 24 hours a day.
And our fabulous local pharmacies can also support with a range of conditions. If you are not sure where to go for your health needs, contact NHS 111 🏥🩵.

06/01/2026

🚨 Exceptional demand seen across our local NHS services

Due to high levels of demand for NHS services, measures are being put in place to reduce pressures, and we are asking for the public’s support.

Alongside the current severe cold weather, we are seeing very high numbers of people with flu and winter illnesses.

The Met Office forecasts the cold spell to continue until Friday 9 January, so we expect these pressures to continue.

Please help us help you:

✅ Use A&E only for serious or life-threatening emergencies.
✅ If a loved one is ready to leave hospital, collect them as soon as possible and make sure they have what they need at home.
✅ If you do need A&E, you may experience a wait. Our teams will see the most seriously ill patients first—please treat staff with respect.

If you have to visit A&E, due to a serious accident or emergency that is life threatening, please make sure you are prepared for a potential wait by taking things you may need like a charged phone, a payment method and warm, comfortable clothing. We apologise if you experience a longer wait.

Please use health services wisely. Accessing the right service at the right time may mean you’re seen quicker and helps reduce pressure.

Please share this message.

Thank you to our incredible NHS teams and partners working tirelessly across hospitals, community services and the region.

Craig Harris
Chief Commissioning Officer
Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB

05/01/2026

👇

🤒 Feeling unwell?

🚨 Please save A&E for life threatening emergencies

✅ For anything else, use NHS 111 online or dial 111 by phone

https://orlo.uk/J5iow

16/12/2025

👇

12/12/2025

We’re currently experiencing an internet outage affecting some GP practices across Lancashire and South Cumbria. Our teams are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience. If you need urgent assistance, please contact your practice by phone.

Thank you for your understanding.

11/12/2025

As we start to update some of our clinical policies on treatments, we would like to invite you to give us your feedback on these.

The NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) regularly reviews its clinical policies to ensure they reflect the latest evidence-based guidance and best practice. Some of the proposed changes are only small such as clarification of previously unclear or confusing wording.

As part of this ongoing process, drafts of 17 clinical policies are now open for patient and public engagement, feedback and comment. The policies range from cosmetic procedures, diagnostic tests and surgical procedures to therapies and provision of wigs for certain patients.

For more information, and to have your say, please visit our website:

Residents in Lancashire and South Cumbria are being encouraged to have their say as the NHS updates some of its policies on treatments.