WHILE there has still been no update on a bid for a new £350m hospital in Warrington, health minister Helen Whately was in town to see first-hand the pressures on the frontline.
The Minister for Social Care visited Warrington Hospital following calls from Warrington South MP Andy Carter in the House of Commons, to address delays to patient discharges from hospital.
The Minister met with senior doctors and nurses and spent time looking at the pressures in the Accident and Emergency Department, Frailty Unit and discharge lounge, where she spoke to staff about the challenges in finding accommodation in local care homes and providing support for residents in their own homes.
The Minister also saw the recently opened Same Day Emergency Treatment Unit which is helping to relieve pressure on A&E and reduce the number of people admitted to the wards.
Mr Carter said : “Our Hospital services are under significant pressure and I want the Ministers to know that we’re facing particular challenges here in Warrington because the healthcare infrastructure isn’t big enough to cope with the growth in the local population. We have too many patients spending too long in acute care, when they’re well enough to leave hospital there are often delays in finding convalescence care and support for people returning home.
“Seeing the pressure I hope it will also demonstrate to the Department of Health why I’m so determined to secure a new hospital for Warrington. Working together, with NHS Leaders and the local authority we’ve made a strong argument for a £350 million which would allow us to secure a new purpose-built hospital for the town and improved parking, which is so often a criticism when patients and visitors go to the current hospital.”
The Minister started the day at Warrington and Vale Royal College’s new Health and Social Care Academy, which was funded with £1 million from the Government as part of Warrington’s £25 million Town Deal. The Minister spoke to students and was given a tour of the learning centre which houses an Independent Living Flat, a Simulation Hospital Ward and life-like early years settings, designed to train and develop the health and social care workforce.
Helen Whately MP, said: “It was a privilege to meet students at Warrington & Vale Royal College and see them making great use of the new simulation hospital ward and social care flat. These bring the experience of working in health or social care to life. Students told me about the placements they’re doing in care homes as well, gaining valuable experience to set them up for fabulous careers in health & social care.”
Mr Carter added: “We need to train more people to work in health and social care, the academy is a fantastic place for people starting out on their career journey and the investment in the centre has helped to bring together all of the healthcare courses into one place with the equipment needed to prepare students for life on the wards and out, supporting patients in the community. Hearing students explain to the Minister how their practical skills had grown because of the investment into new equipment for training was really positive.”
Mr Carter also brought together local health and social care leaders including the Chief Executive of the local NHS Trusts, Senior GPs, CEO of the Council, Directors of Social Care and Public Health along with National Home Care Providers to speak to the Minister about future health investment in the town and to share their ideas for improving care and recruitment with the Minister.
Simon Constable, Chief Executive at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS foundation Trust said: “We were delighted that the Minister was able to visit the hospital and speak with staff. We constantly strive to deliver the best possible care for patients and were pleased to be able to showcase how we do this safely against the backdrop of current pressures.
“This includes managing our ageing estate and the physical limitations of some of our buildings, which is particularly evident in both our Emergency Department and A10, one of our winter escalation wards. Patient safety and quality of care remains paramount, and once again I’d like to commend our staff for their commitment and dedication.
“We are grateful to the Minister for taking the time to visit, viewing first-hand the impact of winter pressures, delayed discharges, and our urgent need for a new hospital in Warrington.”
