WARRINGTON South Conservative Parliamentary candidate Andy Carter paid a fact-finding visit to Warrington Hospital to highlight the need for further NHS investment in the town.
He met Prof Simon Constable, chief executive of the hospital trust as well as visiting the A&E department and wards to speak with doctors, nurses and patients at the Lovely Lane site.
Cllr Carter has welcomed the recent investment at the hospital and says there’s a clear case for further significant funding.
He said: “I’ve visited the hospital on numerous occasions with my family, so I’ve seen for myself the wonderful care given by the staff at this hospital. I want to ensure the town is well prepared to meet the needs of a growing and aging population.
“We now need to finalise plans for developing a new hospital and if elected as the MP for Warrington South I will work with Government and NHS Commissioners to get the plans approved so we can move forward with better facilities”.
Cllr Carter was particularly impressed with the work being undertaken to support elderly patients who are frail and in need of additional care beyond hospital.
He said: “Warrington is leading the way in the way it cares for frail and elderly patients, helping them to recover as quickly as possible in the best surroundings and reducing the number of longer-term admissions.
“Their dedicated frailty unit is something that is now being looked at by other hospitals in the region too.”
Cllr Carter says there’s still more work to be undertaken to get the green light for investment and he’s invited the Health Secretary to come to Warrington.
“Warrington Hospital’s plans aren’t at an advanced stage yet so they haven’t been included in recent funding announcements. Decisions need to be made about where a new hospital will be located so we can get on with making the case for money to support the project. We need to think about new technologies, accessibility and issues such as parking to ensure the new hospital is fit for the future.
“ I want Health Secretary Matt Hancock to see for himself the work that’s needed here so we can make progress.”
Andy Carter’s commitment to securing a new hospital is included in his published 6-point plan for Warrington South.
Andy Carter in the acute cardiac care unit
