HOSPITAL chief executive Mel Pickup has responded to criticism from Warrington North MP Helen Jones over possible plans to move the town’s hospital to the south of the borough.
She says some of the hospital estate is now over 100 years old and now is the time to consider planning for a new state of the art modern hospital – although no specific new locations have been considered at this time.
Last Wednesday (Feb 15) Warrington and Halton Hospitals CEO Mel Pickup was invited to attend the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Warrington Borough Council to share her vision for Warrington Hospital.
Mel Pickup
Ms Pickup said: “Warrington Borough Council has just completed consultation on its Local Plan where intentions to build more than 5,000 new homes and add nearly 300Ha of employment land have been approved. It is therefore essential to consider the impact on the town’s existing health infrastructure which includes a growing elderly population and is already struggling to cope with demand.
“Some of Warrington Hospital’s Estate is now more than 100 years old which does not provide a good patient experience and essential maintenance costs are spiralling . Anyone who uses the hospital will recognise that the site is completely gridlocked.
“Now the time to consider planning for a new state-of-the-art modern hospital for the people of Warrington and Halton. No specific new locations have been considered at this time.”
Last week Warrington North MP Helen Jones described any plan to move the hospital to the south of the borough as “outrageous” and unacceptable.
She said: “This plan is outrageous and would massively disadvantage my constituents in Warrington North. This would create a Warrington Hospital which would be inaccessible for most of Warrington.
“I will do everything in my power to oppose these plans. Whilst a new hospital building would be welcome, it would need to be at a site which is accessible to the majority of the town. This proposal would benefit rural Cheshire much more than Warrington.
“I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Chief Executive of Warrington and Halton NHS Hospital Trust to discuss these plans.”
4 Comments
I understand the need to modernise but the hospital needs to remain easily accessible for the whole town with an A&E which is open 24/7 365 days of the year!
Wouldn’t we all rather have a new car, house or even hospital than put up with all the faults of an outdated asset? But when times are hard and uncertain most sensible people would opt to carry on using the existing model whilst making sure it functions properly and efficiently.
Quote from Ms Pickup; “Now the time to consider planning for a new state-of-the-art modern hospital for the people of Warrington and Halton. No specific new locations have been considered at this time.”
Note (1), “a (singular) new state-of-the-art modern hospital” ie. ONE hospital for the people of Warrington AND Halton.
So in addition to the inhabitants of the proposed 5,000 new homes in Warrington this new hospital will cater for all the people of Halton …and all of the inhabitants of the proposed new homes in Halton too.
Considering the recent decision for a future partnering with Cheshire, It wouldn’t surprise me if there are also plans to include Chester hospital services in this merger.
Note (2), “No specific new locations have been considered at this time.” If they haven’t even considered where there may be sites large enough to build this new hospital why would they be wasting money planning a venture that may be impossible to carry out?
Obviously, these statements are just evasive twaddle.
In the interests of openness, honesty and transparency why can’t they just be clear WHO the hospital is meant to serve and WHERE exactly are the sites they are considering.
“I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Chief Executive of Warrington and Halton NHS Hospital Trust to discuss these plans.” so says Helen Jones. Any update yet as to whether this has been sought and arranged?