Zero-rated health trust
aims to involve public
by John Hendon
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COMMUNITY Health chiefs at Warrington – under fire after receiving a damning review in the latest NHS performance tables – are making a bid to get the public more involved in health issues.
Warrington Primary Care Trust – the body which runs the borough’s GP surgeries, clinics, NHS dentists, etc – is to take its monthly public meetings out on the road in future.
The Trust’s meetings have always been held in public. But previously they have been held at its Birchwood headquarters.
Now they will held at venues in various parts of the borough to make them more accessible to local people.
Health chiefs believe that wider community involvement can be achieved by holding Trust meetings at different locations.
Chairman Robin Brown said: “One of our main philosophies is to be as honest and open as possible.
“Patient and public involvement in health services is so important that we are trying to find ways to enable patients, carers and other residents to raise issues with us.”
The next meeting is on Wednesday (July 28) at Winwick Leisure Centre, Myddleton Lane, at 1.30pm.
Last week the latest league tables published by the Healthcare Commission showed that Warrington PCT had lost its two star status – the only NHS organisation in Cheshire and Merseyside to have a zero rating.
Chief executive Jonathan Smith said the reason for the poor showing was that the Trust’s rate of improvement had not been quick enough.
He reassured patients that services were not deteriorating.
Family escape from
smokefilled house
by staff reporter
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A FAMILY, including two children, escaped from a smoke filled house in Eden Avenue, Culcheth, near Warrington after fire broke out in a bedroom.
Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze which caused extensive damage on the first floor.
A fire service spokesman said the youngsters had been extremely lucky as no smoke alarms were fitted in the property.
?We now offer free fire safety advice and will fit fire alarms free of charge,? he said.
?In this case the family were very fortunate. But if they had all been asleep in bed at the time there could have been tragic consequences.?
In a separate incident, fire crews dealt with a blaze involving a derelict building in Hob Hey Lane, Culcheth. Several fires had been started deliberately on the premises, which is shortly to be demolished.
Atomic energy group
reaches a milestone
by Terry Johnson
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AN ORGANISATION which led the world in peaceful use of nuclear power and has had its roots in Warrington for 50 years is celebrating a remarkable jubilee milestone.
The UK Atomic Energy Authority was one of Warrington’s vanguard employers when its scientists and engineers designed and built the world’s first commercial nuclear power station, Calder Hall.
AEA had a staff of thousands as it went on to spearhead development of a new industry, with great scientific and technological advances.
These included the building of 10 Magnox-type power stations and the prototype for the next generation of advanced gas-cooled reactors.
AEA developed the UK’s fast reactor research programme with two major reactors at Dounreay.
In recent times it has diversified into non-nuclear sectors, under the business, AEA Technology plc.
UKAEA sold its Risley site to property developers, MEPC, in 1998 – a major asset disposal to achieve value for the taxpayer.
It now has responsibilities for managing and decommissioning former nuclear research sites, for restoration as science and technology business centres.
UKAEA continues to have a small team of project engineers and safety staff at its Risley site – re-named Birchwood Park – to continue to safety manage and dismantle its nuclear liabilities.
The authority will shortly enter a new chapter with formation of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and fast-track development of fusion.
Volunteers’ science garden
EIGHT Prince’s Trust volunteers based at Warrington Fire Station toiled for three weeks to create a school science garden.
The volunteers and children of Dallam Primary School, Warrington, raised ?900 from sponsored activities to fund construction of the open air ‘classroom’.
The science garden will enable pupils to gain more hands-on experience in an open environment.
In a second challenge, The Prince’s Trust team are to hold a fun day at Walton Hall Gardens on July 29 to raise funds to take disabled people on holiday.
Picture shows the volunteers relaxing by a pond they constructed as part of the science garden.
Top skateboarders arrive
for summer “concrete jam”
by Terry Johnson
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TOP UK skateboarders and BMX riders will descend on Warrington on July 31 for a sporting spectacular at the town’s new state-of-the-art public skatepark.
Dubbed as a highlight of the national skating calendar, the ‘Warrington Summer Concrete Jam’ is set to draw hundreds of skaters of varying talents to Victoria Park.
The two-day showcase will see leading skating brands offer prize money, footwear and clothing in competitive and fun events.
The new skatepark will be named by the Mayor, Councillor Ted Lafferty, after a competition aimed at young people.
Council leader, John Joyce, said: “We shall be showcasing national and local talent and celebrating the positive impact this skatepark has had within our community.”
Sport England, the Northwest Development Agency, Warrington Council, Waste Re-cycling Environmental Ltd and the town’s Safety Partnership have underpinned the venture.
The Warrington skatepark will be featured in a new Sport England video to be released across the UK.
Drive to make progress
on new medical centre
by David Skentelbery
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NEW moves are being planned to try and get a decision on a new medical centre at Appleton, near Warrington.
Members of the parish council have invited potential interested parties to a meeting in September.
Warrington Primary Care Trust (PCT), the borough council, Warrington Rugby Union Club and Warrington Sports Club are among the organisations who will be asked to attend the meeting.
Eight months ago, plans for a new medical centre in Dudlow Green Road, Appleton were dropped by the PCT.
The trust said it was now planning a bigger and better centre and that a number of sites were being considered – all within a two mile radius of the existing Appleton and Stretton GP surgeries.
But nothing has been heard since – and Appleton’s desperate need for improved medical services continues to grow as the local population increased.
One possible site is the fire-ravage headquarters of the rugby club in Bridge Lane.
The club is currently playing its home matches at Warrington Sports Club and the Bridge Lane site – considered by some to be ideal for a medical centre – lies deserted.
Peter Briggs, clerk to the parish council, said: “We cannot force any of the parties to attend the meeting. But we want to see some progress on this matter as the need for a medical centre in Appleton is great.”
School extension
proposal
by staff reporter
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COUNCIL chiefs will decide tonight (Monday) whether to press on with a major extension at Lymm Grammar School to cope with rising numbers of pupils.
Warrington borough council’s executive board will be recommended by officers to accept the lowest tender submitted for construction of a three-storey extension comprising offices, a science laboratory, food catering su
ite, toilet accommodation and lift.
The scheme was approved in principle by the board in April.
