MP backs calls for new ‘fit for purpose’ Warrington Hospital

WARRINGTON South MP Faisal Rashid is backing calls for a new centrally located and state of the art hospital for Warrington with parts of the current site more than 100 years old.

Faisal’s calls come following a meeting with the Chair of Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Trust, Steve McGuirk, during which they discussed the future of the hospital.

With parts of the current hospital facility more than 100 years old and essential maintenance costing around £2 million a year, it has become a huge challenge to run an efficient and effective hospital facility.

Following his meeting Faisal said: “The current hospital is outdated and cannot fully meet the needs of patients or staff. We need a facility fit for the 21st Century.

“Warrington patients and our fantastic NHS staff deserve a centrally located, fit for purpose facility from which to work and receive treatment. A site accessible for all Warrington residents.

“For a place as large as Warrington and which is growing, we need a facility to cater for the full-service needs of patients – including comprehensive A&E services.

“Whilst the way health services are being delivered is changing, it is crucial that the focal point for these is within an updated state of the art setting that is accessible for all residents.

“There are Government funds for NHS infrastructure projects available. But, as we have seen with other avenues of government funding, they don’t appear to be being spread evenly. Once again, Warrington and the North West are being overlooked, while the biggest slice of the funding is going to the South East. It is high time this unfairness was addressed.

“There is nothing more important than the health and wellbeing of the people in our town. We deserve the appropriate services to meet the needs of local people. We know that there are growing numbers of elderly residents and those with complex health issues. Our local health services must be capable of meeting these challenges.

“Ultimately, a fit for purpose hospital will attract high calibre staff and will fully meet the needs of patients. As the Warrington South MP, I will be doing whatever I can to keep up the pressure on this issue.”

Last October Warrington Borough Council was asked to prioritise the development of a new hospital, centred in the town, to retain clinical services and attract a quality workforce.

It followed a presentation to councillors by hospital chief executive Mel Pickup the previous February and a later report which indicated that the present Lovely Lane site is not suitable for a modern hospital for the borough.

Subsequently, an article on the future vision for both Warrington and Halton hospitals appeared in the newsletter of the NHS Trust which stated that with the growing population of Warrington, it was appropriate to consider planning for a new state-of-the-art modern hospital within the town.

No firm proposals for a new hospital have yet been considered, but the council is currently in conversations with partners regarding potential solutions to the problem.

Last month a fire caused by an electrical fault in the ageing Kendrick Wing disrupted hospital services.