PROPOSALS have been outlined to offer a range of hospital outpatient services within a retail setting.
Warrington and Halton Hospitals and Halton Borough Council are creating a new Health Hub at Runcorn Shopping City.
It is proposed that ophthalmology, audiology, and dietetic outpatient appointments will be held at the hub to improve ease of access.
Halton residents would no longer have to travel out of the borough to receive care, with some services set to be expanded to offer a greater range of tests.
As well as being more convenient for patients, the proposed move reduces the risk of having to enter a hospital during the coronavirus pandemic, which is especially important for the most vulnerable and those with long term conditions.
Halton Hospital
Audiology and ophthalmology would move just 300 meters from Halton Hospital to Runcorn Shopping City, while dietetics would move from St Paul’s Health Centre – a distance of just over two miles served by public transport.
Some ophthalmic services currently delivered only at Warrington Hospital could also move, including glaucoma assessment clinics, cataract pre-and post-operative clinics, ophthalmic primary care clinics for new patients and neuro-ophthalmology clinics.
Meanwhile, there are plans to introduce a new hydroxychloroquine screening service at Runcorn Shopping City which is not currently provided by the trust.
Current staff would relocate with their services and there will be no change to staffing levels.
The vacated space at Halton Hospital could then be reallocated to clinically appropriate services – either those that require additional space or those that are relocating from Warrington.
Warrington Hospital
This is in line with the hospital trust’s plan of expanding and further developing Halton as its dedicated elective site – much of which is already underway as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
No estate will be lost or decommissioned at Halton Hospital.
Views on the proposals are being sought from patients and members of the public during March, ahead of formal public consultation taking place from April.
An online survey is available via surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SFPPR8V and paper booklets and materials in alternative languages and formats are available by emailing whh.communications@nhs.net or phoning 01925 662114.
Virtual engagement sessions will take place on Tuesday, March 9, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm and on Wednesday, March 10, from 10.30am to 11.30am via whh.nhs.uk
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