Hospital rumours: Town Hall chief speaks out

ANY plans to change the status of Warrington Hospital, or its services, should be subject to full public consultation, a health chief said today
Professor Steven Broomhead, chairman of the town’s Health and Wellbeing Board and chief executive of the borough council, released a statement about the importance of the hospital.
He was speaking in response to ongoing rumours about the future of the hospital.
Professor Broomhead said: : “Rumours continue to circulate about the future of our local hospital. Our town of over 206,000 citizens needs and requires a multi-functional, clinically-excellent, local hospital service.
“If there are plans to change any of the local services or the status of our hospital, this should be subject to full public consultation. It is good that hospitals collaborate on the provision of services, but this shouldn’t become a competitive process, with the ambition of pure growth for one particular hospital.
“We still also have the opportunity to have local access to cancer support services. Currently, the proposals for the four cancer support hubs are all in Merseyside, which is not acceptable. I raised the matter with the NHS weeks ago and I await a response. It’s time for us all to support our local Warrington hospital, its services and its excellent staff.”
Rumours about the hospital’s future have been circulating for months, ranging from proposals to close the existing hospital in Lovely Lane and build a new one elsewhere in the borough – possibly south of the Manchester Ship Canal – to alarmist rumours that the town could lose its hospital altogether.
There have also been rumours about Halton Hospital – part of the same Trust – which was at one time said to be set to be completely rebuilt.