MP “fearful” of health cuts for Warrington

WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones says she is “fearful” that essential health services in the borough could be at risk of closure.
She has accused the NHS of being “deliberately secretive” over plans for the Warrington area.
Ms Jones asked for details of the NHS “sustainability and transformation plan” for Warrington, following the release of some plans to a national newspaper.
But she claims NHS England refused to release any details.
The MP said: “A  brick wall seems to have been erected around the plans for Warrington.  It is clear from a letter I have seen that the NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside are looking at specific services such as stroke, primary care and trauma.
“My Freedom of Information request to NHS England asking for details of their discussions with Trusts and their meetings on this matter has been refused on the grounds of cost.
“It would appear that they are hiding behind every bureaucratic trick in the book and are putting every obstacle possible in the way of disclosing what their plans are.
“Alarm bells start to ring when both Cheshire and Merseyside NHS and NHS England are being so deliberately secretive.
“I remain fearful that there could be plans to close essential services in Warrington,  that the decision is being made behind closed doors and that it will be presented as a fait accompli with little time allowed for public consultation.
“It’s time for them to come clean and let us all know what they have planned in this review for our services here in Warrington. “