Lancashire Teaching Hospitals has announced the temporary closure of its Cuerden Ward at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.

The trust said the closure was part of its ‘flex ward capacity' policy based on patient needs and available funding.

A spokesperson said: ‘In line with this approach, Cuerden Ward, will close at the end of March as a general medical ward. All colleagues working there will be offered suitable alternative employment in areas where there are gaps and where care is most needed.

‘As Cuerden is a modern modular build, the facility will be reutilised in line with our overall estates and operational strategy. This is currently being updated following on from the news about the delay to the New Hospitals Programme (NHP) and we will keep our communities updated as we move forward.'

Construction of the trust's Royal Preston Hospital (pictured) has been delayed until 2037-39 under the Government's revised NHP.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is one of three trusts in Lancashire and South Cumbria that have been placed on NHS England's national recovery support programme.