Changes will boost hospital (From Warrington Guardian)

Changes will boost hospital

CHANGES at Halton Hospital will give a 'win win' situation, the chief executive has told a public meeting.

Ian Dalton wants to end two years of speculation and delay, with a plan to increase the amount of planned operations done at Halton.

To achieve this North Cheshire Hospitals trust wants to move all Halton emergency operations to Warrington.

Health chiefs presented the plans at the corporate training centre in Widnes last week.

Ian Dalton said the changes would secure the 10 to 20 year future of Halton Hospital.

He said: "At present even people living next to Halton had to travel to Warrington for many operations. It's crazy if there's a hospital there."

He also said it would help ease long standing transport worries for Halton patients as around 75 planned operations a week would move to Halton from Warrington.

Dr Lakshmi Narayana, a Widnes GP, said all the clinicians were in favour of the changes.

He said the changes would make it easier to recruit new staff, something that had been a problem.

Mr Dalton also said the changes would address the drive for more patient choice - and increase patient confidence.

He said: "In my experience hospitals do well if they deliver quick, good quality care and if they maintain the confidence of the local population.

"If people want to go somewhere else I don't have a problem with that but I want to be clear that the choice we are offering is really good, we have a vibrant future."

The proposals

Planned Surgery (e.g. gall bladder removal) for Widnes and Runcorn residents

Present

1 Most pre-surgery out patient sessions at Warrington

l Most surgery at Warrington

l Most follow ups at Warrington

Proposed

2 All out-patient sessions at Halton

3 All surgery at Halton

4 All follow-ups at Halton

Emergency Surgery Likely (e.g. suspected appendicitis) for Widnes and Runcorn residents

Present

5 Go to Halton if a consultant is available, in not, go to Warrington

6 Operation and follow up at the same hospital you were received at

Proposed

7 Go to Warrington only

8 If emergency surgery is needed, stay at Warrington, if not got to Halton for planned surgery

9 All follow-ups at Halton only