New Warrington hospital bid fails in latest funding announcement

WARRINGTON and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH) has expressed disappointment that it has not been included in the latest funding round of the Government’s New Hospitals Programme.

Hospital trusts in urgent need of redevelopment due to health and safety risks associated with RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) roofing have been prioritised in this funding round.

This vital investment would have presented WHH with a unique opportunity to address significant challenges within the current hospital estate, including a lack of appropriate physical space to serve the fastest growing population in Cheshire and Merseyside, especially in the urgent and emergency care pathway through Warrington Hospital.
The investment would have allowed the Trust to build a new acute hospital in Warrington and a redeveloped hospital and wellbeing campus in Halton, both built to modern specifications and fully equipped with the latest technology and treatments.
Whilst the Trust recognises that it is absolutely essential that hospitals with urgent health and safety challenges are addressed first, the pressing need to create modern, sustainable and compliant estate which is fit for purpose and can deliver the best healthcare for the residents of Warrington and Halton remains.

Professor Simon Constable, chief executive of Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are disappointed not to have been included in today’s funding announcement for new hospital estate for the people of Warrington and Halton. The outcome of this latest funding round does not change the fact that our aging estate needs significant modernisation.
“We are committed to continuing to work alongside key stakeholders and partners to identify further opportunities to develop our aspirations so that we can meet the evolving needs of residents, tackle health inequalities, and support the regeneration of our towns and communities. However, it should be considered that the progress we have made with partners in getting to this stage leaves us in a good position for the future, enabling the development of an alternative route to delivery with the same level of ambition.
“We continue to maximise opportunities to progress our plans by changing and adapting how and where we deliver care. This includes investing to make the most appropriate and effective use of scarce clinical space for urgent and emergency care at Warrington Hospital and the introduction of new community facilities, such as the new Living Well Hub in Warrington town centre which is scheduled to open later this year, and the creation of a Health and Education Hub in Runcorn town centre.”

The Government has announced that going forward new schemes, including those who have previously submitted an expression of interest, will be considered through a rolling programme of capital investment in hospital infrastructure.
Graham Urwin, chief executive of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, welcomed the Government’s decision to prioritise hospital trusts in urgent need of redevelopment due to health and safety risks associated with RAAC roofing, but added: “NHS Cheshire and Merseyside had previously identified Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as its priority site for improvement and we will be seeking to move forward with this as soon as it is practical.”

Warrington South MP Andy Carter commented: “It’s not the news I wanted to hear today but the campaign to secure a new hospital for Warrington continues. It is clear that there is a need for new health infrastructure to support the town as it continues to grow and I will continue to make that case in Westminster. The work undertaken during the recent bid is incredibly valuable, I’m thankful for all the input from the team at the Trust, it will allow me to continue to make the case for Warrington.
“Having spoken with the NHS leadership in Warrington this morning we are focused on addressing the immediate challenges, particularly in relation to an urgent treatment centre to help to deal with accident and emergency waiting times, and also speeding up discharge when patients are fit to leave hospital but can’t because of a shortage of social care available in the community.
“Plans to open a £9.3m clinical diagnostic centre and surgical hub to tackle waiting times in Warrington are also progressing well.”
The disappointment comes following a number of high profile Government visits to the Hospital, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson last year.