Financial close has been reached for £2m remodelling work at Accrington Acorn Primary Care Centre (PCC), in East Lancashire. Internal reconfigurations will further develop the building following changes in late 2024, to support the move of the Minor Injuries’ Unit (MIU) from Accrington Victoria Hospital into fit-for-purpose, accessible, modern space.
In 2024 Community Health Partnerships (CHP) worked alongside teams from East Lancashire Hospitals Trust (ELHT), Lancashire Building Partnerships Ltd (LIFTCo), One Partnership, and the Eric Wright Group to move vital services from Accrington Victoria Hospital to Accrington Acorn. The services included the Minor Injuries Unit, midwife clinics, general outpatients, x-ray, and PWE GP Practice amongst others. The changes took place over the course of a week and included the installation of new treatment booths, an area for triage and a temporary waiting room, with collaborative partnership working vital to the project’s success.
Read: Services move into modernised space at Accrington Acorn Primary Care Centre (Feb 2025)
For the next phase in 2026, a total investment of £2.043m, funded by CHP, will create a more effective and efficient space for service delivery. The MIU unit has been redesigned to fit the needs of the teams within the space. The changes include two new x-ray rooms, toilets, and a reception area as well as moving PWE GP practice into a more appropriate space in Accrington Acorn.
Currently, Accrington Acorn contains services including nursing clinics, immunisation, diabetes, blood pressure clinics, family planning, and a minor injuries/urgent care unit, as well as specialist services for older adults and general practice.
This new layout will help increase productivity within the building and reinforces the importance of NHS LIFT facilities in supporting the Government’s mission to provide more services within the community, aiding prevention and taking pressure off local hospitals.
CHP buildings are designed to be hubs within the neighbourhoods they serve, and this space will add a more organised, modern, private and accessible space for those who use Accrington Acorn.
The work at Accrington Acorn is not the only project supporting the development of the Neighbourhood Health Service in East Lancashire. St Peter’s Centre, Burnley and Barbara Castle Way, Blackburn, are also part of the wider works taking place across the county to support Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board and ELHT to support moving care closer to home where it matters most.
More recently, the relocation project from Accrington Victoria Hospital into Accrington Acorn PCC, won the best Public/Private Sector Collaboration in Healthcare Award at the Operational PPP Summit and Awards 2025 (OPPPS). The team were recognised for their ongoing collaboration and structured approach, the inclusive partnership meant that all teams across the private and public sector could act decisively and quickly, resulting in a swift outcome for patients and service users.
Read: Relocation project at Accrington Acorn Primary Care Centre wins best ‘Public/Private Sector Collaboration in Healthcare’ at OPPPS Awards 2025 (3 December 2025)
The works at Accrington Acorn Primary Care Centre are a fantastic example of how, working together as a system, we can deliver the neighbourhood health service. Whilst the first phase of works allowed us to create a more modern space for service delivery, the reconfiguration will make this part of the building more efficient and therefore more productive and effective for those that use it. The recent award shows the strength of partnerships in this area and what can be done, at speed, with decisive action.
CHP and One Partnership have been working with Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, ELHT and Primary Care providers to enhance the service offering at Accrington Acorn. The NHS 10 year plan is placing a greater focus of services closer to home. The changes at Accrington Acorn allows a number of additional NHS funded services including walk in services, minor injuries and diagnostics to be provided at this location enabling uninterrupted service delivery to patients in the Accrington Hyndburn area.
By working seamlessly across our integrated teams, we are delivering a high-quality, efficient, and sustainable transformation that will enhance patient experience and support modern healthcare delivery. This work directly aligns with and supports the Government’s Neighbourhood Health Hub agenda, helping to deliver more accessible, integrated care for local communities.
CHP and the LIFTCo have worked together to progress the business case for funding approval to update and further improve this facility. The project is expected to start on site in February 2026 and continue until early 2027.
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