Multi-million ?
health centres plan
by staff reporter
MILLIONS are to be invested in building new healthcare centres across Warrington to improve patient care, it was announced today.
The centres will enable patients to benefit from improved access to state-of-the-art primary care close to where they live.
The buildings will also mean a massive improvement to the working environment of doctors, nurses, therapists and other NHS staff.
The good news follows the launch of a new company called Partners 4 LIFT.
The company, a public/private partnership, will invest a total of ?130 million building a series of primary care facilities across North Cheshire, St Helens and Knowsley over the next 20 years. The planned investment in Warrington is about ?25 million.
The new buildings will replace existing facilities that are becoming increasingly out-dated and unfit for delivering modern healthcare. These are often either Victorian GP premises built originally as houses, or 1960s or ’70s buildings of a poor quality.
Warrington Primary Care Trust chief executive Jonathan Smith said: “The poor state of many of Warrington PCT’s and GP buildings inherited from predecessor organisations and the basic lack of office space means that the development of health services in Warrington is limited.
“This major project, which looks at developing at least six new primary care centres in Warrington, will solve this problem by developing fit-for-purpose accommodation. This is great news as it will improve both patient care and staff conditions.
“We will need to consult with staff, practitioners and the public to determine the exact specifications of each building to make sure we build what both staff and patients want. Local people deserve nothing but the best, as do our dedicated staff.”
It is anticipated that building work on the first Warrington development, in Chapelford, will begin in early 2006. It is proposed that the new primary care resource centre will bring together GP practices along with other services such as audiology (hearing) and podiatry (foot health). Other areas earmarked for developments include Appleton and Culcheth, Orford, Lymm, Fearnhead and the town centre.
Man loses half an ear
in savage street attack
by David Skentelbery
A MAN had half his ear bitten off in a brutal attack at Warrington in the early hours of the morning.
The 23-year-old was walking along Hume Street at around 1.30am when he was attacked by two men.
One grabbed both his arms from behind while the other bit his ear.
The victim was taken to Whiston Hospital, on Merseyside, where he underwent surgery.
Police said the apparently motiveless attack took place as the victim neared the junction with Marsh House Lane.
He became aware of two men walking behind him and, as he reached the junction, they shouted abuse at him.
Then one grabbed his arms while the other bit half his ear off. The pair then ran off, back along Hume Street.
Both attackers were in their late teens or early 20s, of medium build and about 5ft ll inches tall. One had dark hair, greying at the sides. Police believe they are local.
Anyone who saw the attack or who has information about it is asked to call Det Cons Gary Massey at Warrington CID on 01244 613034.
Council is “good” –
and should get better
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Borough Council is a “good” council serving people well – and it is in a position to improve even more over the next 12 months.
These are the findings of the Audit Commission following its latest review of all 150 major local authorities across the country.
The Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) inspection analysed all aspects of the way the council is run and how well its main services perform.
The review highlights the progress made in a number of service areas, including housing, performance management, community planning, leadership and priority setting and the Audit Commission inspectors said they expect to see the council’s services continue to improve in the next 12 months.
They also found the council has successfully delivered the targets it has set with the government and that the council’s new structure, set to come into force in April, will “focus services more closely towards users needs and increase the council’s ability to deliver planned improvements to its services”.
The team found that, based on the council’s plans and vision for the future “it is well placed to improve the way it works and the services it provides to local people”.
David Whitehead, the council’s chief executive, said: “This is the third consecutive year in which Warrington is assessed to be a good council, serving the community effectively. It is particularly pleasing this year to see the acknowledged improvement in housing services, performance management, community planning, leadership and priority setting. We have achieved our highest ever scores for service standards.
“This has been very much a year of change for the council and its staff, as we continue a major reorganisation to equip us for the future. It is, therefore, good to receive the Audit Commission’s endorsement of our actions.
“It is clear that the Audit Commission believes we are going in the right direction. This council evaluation result is a significant recognition for staff and councillors that rewards their sustained effort and commitment to the town.”
A full copy of the Audit Commission’s findings can be seen on its website www.audit-commission.gov.uk
College students stage
end-of-term show
by staff reporter
PERFORMING Arts students at Warrington’s Priestley College drew big crowds to the college hall on three successive nights with their end-of-term production “80’s Madness.
” The two-hour all-action show had everything – drama, dance and song – and was greeted with enthusiasm by the capacity audiences.
First up on the bill were first year students whose piece “Our House” told the story of teenage life within the confines of a north London community.
Next were the second year students and it was this performance, which particularly raised the roof and had the audience on the edge of their seats.
“Footloose” was entirely devised by the second year group in just five weeks and it was they who wrote the script and choreographed the dance sequences.
As well as being entertained by some fine acting, the audience were also able to enjoy themselves musically with a fast paced soundtrack accompanying both shows with classics such as “My Girl”, “Baggy Trousers”, “Holding on for a Hero” and “Let’s Hear it for the Boy.”
Head of Performing Arts Sarah Mawson said: “It was a thrill for the students to see how well received their performances were from the audience as there can be no harsher critics than them.
“All three nights of the show went better than we could have imagined, so much so that we were over-subscribed with the amount of people who simply wanted to see what it was all about.
“I salute everybody who made the show a success and look forward to our next event.”
Festive fun at
children’s zoo
by staff reporter
CHRISTMAS came early for a bunch of youngsters at Walton Hall Gardens Children’s Zoo, Warrington.
Youngsters, along with some mums and dads who could not resist, were treated to a 45-minute guided tour by the zoo’s rangers.
During the tour, they met some of the zoo’s favourite animals including BoBo the donkey and Sid the pot-bellied pig.
The children also put their artistic talents to the test and created two Christmas cards, one for their favourite animal or bird, which are on display at the zoo, and one to take home.
They were helped out with their festive activities by the Friends of Walton Estate, who also run a popular Animal Adoption
Scheme.
The Friends have a great Christmas gift idea – adopt an animal.
In return, adopters will receive newsletters twice a year, a birthday card from their new friend, invites to adopters’ evenings and much more!
For more details about the Animal Adoption Scheme, ring Walton Estate Office on 01925 261957.
Narrow street is
becoming “rat run”
by Lesley Wilkinson
A NARROW street is becoming a “rat run” for drivers taking a short cut to avoid delays at the traffic lights in Victoria Square, Stockton Heath Parish Council heard.
Members heard that double-decker buses and heavy lorries were cutting down side streets, particularly Orchard Street.
Coun Alan Loughlin said: “People are using Orchard Street as a rat run, including double-decker buses.
“They are creating a dangerous situation, often you cannot get into Orchard Street as it is snarled up with vehicles. It is causing a serious safety hazard.”
He suggested restrictions could be introduced to prevent parking on the first 100 metres of the road, and to prevent large vehicles from using it.
“I don’t think that double-decker buses should be allowed to go down there, but the lights are so bad that people just take a shortcut,” he added.
Members reported that often lorries going to the tip in Sandy Lane take a short cut down the side streets. Because of the volume of traffic, cars often have to drive partly on the pavement.
Coun Wendy Emsley said; “Recently Orchard Street was at a standstill with cars parked on both sides and a bus stopped in the middle.”
Members agreed to write to Warrington Borough Council to ask that school buses and lorries visiting the tip should not use the street.
Police name
accident victim
by staff reporter
THE elderly woman who died after being struck by a car as she crossed the road near the Sankey Green island in Liverpool Road, Warrington, has been named by police.
She was 88-year-old Kathleen Houghton, of Warrington.
She was taken to Warrington Hospital after being struck by a Ford Focus and died soon afterwards.
A police spokesman said witnesses were still being sought. Anyone who could help should call the Warrington Road Policing Unit on 01244 350222.
