?15 million earmarked
for hospital improvements
by David Skentelbery
A ?15 million funding package has been ear-marked for major improvements at Warrington Hospital.
If the scheme goes ahead ? and it is still subject to North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust coming up with acceptable proposals and business plan ? it would see the hospital became a centre of excellence for planned care.
The money has been set aside by Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority (SHA) and follows a wide-ranging public consultation, Better Care, Sustainable Services, led by the Trust.
Trust project director Mark Ogden-Meade said: “Naturally the Trust is delighted the SHA has confirmed that this money will be available, subject to an acceptable business case, if our proposals for providing better care and services to our patients are accepted.
“The proposals would ensure a thriving future for Warrington Hospital as a centre of excellence for acute medicine with a new, expanded critical care unit. This will avoid the need for us to transfer critically ill patients to other hospitals owing to a lack of available beds.”
Warrington Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Warrington Borough Council have also welcomed the news.
Coun Wendy Johnson, chairman of Warrington?s health committee, said: “We share the Trust’s delight that such a substantial sum of money has been ear-marked by the SHA to improve hospital services for the people of Warrington. However, we have made clear to the Trust our concern about transport issues and have asked them to do more detailed work in this critical area.”
Mr Ogden-Meade confirmed that the Trust, which has already committed to providing a shuttle bus between Halton General and Warrington hospitals, is working closely with the local authority in a bid to strengthen transport arrangements.
He added that now that the public consultation phase of Better care, sustainable services has come to an end the public’s responses will be independently analysed by the University of Chester and the results will be published on the website www.northcheshirehospital.nhs.uk/consultation
The Trust Board will consider all responses, including those of the local authority at its meeting in public on July 24.
Exhibition celebrates
students’ achievements
by staff reporter
A STUNNING end-of-year exhibition, celebrated the achievements of students from the art and design department at Warrington?s Priestley College.
The exhibition was officially opened by the Mayor of Warrington, Coun Linda Dirir at on the Loushers Lane campus.
After the opening the Mayor was given a guided tour around the exhibition which was located in two separate buildings including the cafe bar and art and design block and was able to speak at length to students.
Among those she met were the college’s three star achievers from the academic year ? Hannah Taylor, Alan Austin and Lauren O-Day.
Hannah has a place to study fashion at Ravensbourne College of Art and Design, Alan has been accepted to the Glasgow School of Art to study Environmental Art and Lauren has landed a place at Oxford Brookes University to read Fine Art.
Priestley currently has one of the broadest and diverse ranges of Art and Design courses available anywhere.
Andrea Marren, head of art and design commented: “Our students leave Priestley to pursue a range of degree courses and careers in many aspects of the creative arts and the exhibition is an exciting opportunity to celebrate their achievements.
“The academic year has been a busy time with a great deal of achievements along the way and it was superb that the Mayor took such a personal interest in the event.
“I wish all our departing students the very best for the future and look forward to next term when we will be able to further help in the artistic development of our current first years and those who will be new to the College in August.”
Police praise for public
after drugs crackdown
by Terry Johnson
POLICE have praised the public and partner agencies for their co-operation in the big purge against drug dealers which resulted in 20 arrests in Warrington and Halton last week.
The clean-out – appropriately dubbed ‘Operation Crackdown’ – followed months of police intelligence gathering, assisted by communities and agencies.
Three hundred officers battered down doors of dozens of homes and recovered Class A drugs and a large amount of dealers’ cash.
Eighteen people have been charged with drugs offences and will be dealt with by the courts.
Chief Supt Nick Ingram, (pictured)Warrington’s police chief, said: “I would like to thank local residents for the role they played in supplying us with information about drug dealing in their communities.
“This type of intelligence is invaluable.
It helps us gather vital evidence to co-ordinate large-scale operations like this – to bring drug dealers to justice.?
He added: “I would also thank partner agencies including Warrington Borough Council, Halton Council, Cheshire Fire Service, the Warrington and Halton Drug Action Teams and local housing providers.
“These arrests should send a clear message that drugs and drug dealing will not be tolerated.
“If you are involved in drugs activity of any kind you have been warned: we know where you are.
We know where to find you.
It’s only a matter of time before we knock on your door”.
Anyone can tip-off the police about drug dealers or other offenders by calling 0845-458-0000.
Tenants get chance
to win ?300 prize
by Terry Johnson
NINE thousand Warrington households are to get the chance to win a ?300 cash prize and two signed Wolves team shirts.
Golden Gates Housing is making the offer to tenants who complete a short home and community survey.
The top prize – and other prizes totalling ?600 – will promote a survey of customer satisfaction with their home, their neighbourhood and GGH’s services.
Said Golden Gates’ Peter Mercer: “The views of our customers are extremely important to us. They have the chance to let us know how we are doing and which aspects of the service we can improve on”.
Formed two-and-a-half years ago, GGH has its own board made up of tenants, councillors and independent members of the public.
A chance to
quiz police
by staff reporter
POLICE are holding a Community Action Meeting (CAM) for the Poulton-with-Fearnhead area of Warrington tonight (Monday) at Fearnhead Cross Community Centre.
Members of the public are invited to attend and will be able to question senior officers on policing issues in the area. The meeting starts at 6.30pm.
The next meeting of Warrington Police Forum will be held at the Town Hall tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7pm. Again, all residents are invited.
Venue guide
for town
TOWN promotional vehicle, Destination Warrington, has launched a new directory of conference and meeting venues.
The free guide has been produced by the Boro. Council’s economic development and tourism unit.
Council tourism manager, Rosemary Lavender, said: “Warrington’s location and transport links make it a premier business location. The high standard of venues strengthens Warrington’s presence within the North-west as an ideal conference and meeting location”.
Police probe
flat fire
POLICE are investigating the possibility of arson after fire caused extensive damage to a first floor flat in Jubilee Court, Padgate, Warrington.
Two fire appliances were sent to deal with the blaze and it was at first thought someone was trapped inside.
But in fact the occupants were at a neighbour’s home and no-one was hurt.
Police suspect the fire may have been started deliberately and the cause is being investigated.
