Town's unacceptable inequality

WARRINGTON has an unacceptable level of inequality for a relatively affluent town – and this leads to differences in healthy life expectancy in different parts of the borough.
This is the view of Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South, Cllr Bob Barr.
He said: “Warrington has specific health needs and needs a locally appropriate set of health policies within a strong national NHS.
“The town is fortunate in having a Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) which is taking such a view and it will be important that the next MP for the town listens to and supports them rather than repeating national party propaganda.”
Cllr Barr said the differences in life expectancy in different parts of the borough had to be reduced, not just as a matter of fairness, but also to reduce the high cost to the health service of preventable poor health.
“While long life expectancy is to be celebrated, it also brings the need to help those who are living longer to do so healthily and to be able to stay in their own homes as long as they wish. Many patients would prefer to get more services and support from their GPs, and their teams, than to have to be referred to hospital. The CCG recognises this and I support their priorities of keeping people healthy but then ensuring their own doctors can look after them better and for longer. This can be both more effective and less expensive.
“The Liberal Democrats have committed to meeting the NHS’s own assessment of the increased funding required in the next Parliament of £8billion. “But what is more important for those in Warrington South is that their local health service meets their local needs. I will support the CCG in ensuring that that is done. I welcome the protection to Warrington health budgets that the coalition government has provided.”