SUPER-SURGERY IS ON THE WAY (From Warrington Guardian)

SUPER-SURGERY IS ON THE WAY

FOUR Winsford doctors' practices look set to close down and move into a new super-surgery situated opposite Winsford Cross Shopping Centre.

Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust (CCPCT) is planning to merge High Street Medical Practice, Launceston Close Surgery, in Over, Swanlow Medical Centre, in Swanlow Lane and Weavervale Surgery, in Winsford Health Centre into a large, state-of-the-art building next to the Aldi store.

Known as an Integrated Care Centre, bosses at CCPCT believe that building the 'one-stop shop' for primary care will bring significant improvements in health and could mean that patients no longer have to visit Leighton Hospital for some services.

John Ranson, head of capital development at CCPCT, said: "You will have the benefits of all the doctors and other health professionals working together and sharing knowledge.

"It also means that patients may not have to travel to Leighton Hospital for some procedures.

Exciting

"This exciting proposed new development will follow on from other similar projects recently developed in central Cheshire. The building will complement the current improvements already being made to the town centre."

The primary care trust is currently finalising its ambitious designs for the new building before submitting a planning application to Vale Royal Borough Council.

In the meantime residents have the opportunity to find out more about the plans at an exhibition at Winsford Civic Hall on January 21. Doctors and CCPCT staff will be there from 7.30pm to 9pm to answer questions residents may have.

Harry Mooney, chairman of Vale Royal Pensioners' Association, thinks that his organisation's members will welcome the news.

He added: "It sounds very good. The thing at most surgeries at the moment is that the appointment system is not great. This new building could definitely improve that.

"And if it means you no longer have to travel to Leighton Hospital for X-rays that is good as well.

"If all the doctors work as a team it's got to be to the benefit of everyone."

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk