“Mini hospitals” scheme
opposed by family doctors
by David Skentelbery
MULTI-million ? proposals to revolutionise primary health care at Warrington by building five ?mini-hospitals? across the borough may have run into serious problems.
Warrington Primary Care Trust is holding talks with every GP practice in the town and says meetings so far have been ?very positive.”
But Warrington-Worldwide understands the majority of GPs are totally opposed to the proposals which they believe will not work and would not be in the interests of their patients.
There have also been concerns expressed by councillors from Appleton, who believe the scheme could put back provision of a desperately needed health centre for the area by anything up to 20 years.
And residents at Culcheth fear the proposals could result in the GP practices in the village closing with patients having to travel to Birchwood to see their doctors.
The PCT says the development would make the town a national leader in the provision of primary health care. Family doctors, nurses, therapists, dentists and other health professionals would work from the five state-of-the-art centres which would be open seven days a week from 6am to 10pm.
Each centre would also have a pharmacy, treatment rooms for minor surgery, diagnostic facilities, community mental health services, a gymnasium and a coffee lounge. The first two would be open within three years.
But GPs have serious objections to the scheme. While they support the idea of new, modern health centres they are opposed to proposed amalgamations of existing practices. A GP spokesman said: ?This could result in practices of up to 30 doctors. It would become very difficult for patients to see their own doctor because of the shift system that would operate.
?It could also result in patients having to travel considerable distances to see their GP ? which would be a problem for those without their own transport.
?We cannot see this idea being in the interests of patients and it seems to us that the PCT is simply trying to make some kind of a name for itself nationally.?
Jon Tomlinson, acting chief executive of the PCT insisted that GPs were having positive discussions with the Trust.
He said: “GPs are very keen to understand the PCT’s proposals to provide health centres and what it means for them as practising family doctors and as independent contractors to the NHS.
?We aim to offer patients a much wider range of health services in the community but this is only possible if we have the right size and quality of premises to invest in new state of the art technology and provide minor treatment, outpatient appointments with consultants and offer longer opening hours.
?Health centres will offer all the services presently provided by GPs and at PCT run clinics plus many more. All GPs in Warrington will be able to practise as family doctors from one of the health centres. Patients will be able to book appointments as now and if their GP is not available will either be able to book a later appointment or see another GP or health professional.
?By having a single contract with each health centre there will be significant opportunities for making the system work better and more efficiently. Rather than lots of small practices and clinics each with their own opening times, receptions, nurses and booking systems we will have a single point of access and contact. Family doctors will be able to provide patients with a much wider range of services and much quicker access to services than at present.
?We recognise that change is difficult for some and that is why we are taking time to explain in more detail what this means for GPs. Ultimately these proposals are designed to improve health care in the town. The public have a major opportunity to engage in this debate and we encourage everyone to have their say”
“Scary monsters” at
school’s book day
by Lesley Wilkinson
?SCARY Monsters? was the theme of a dressing up day at Newchurch Primary School, Culcheth, near Warrington, to mark World Book Day.
Youngsters were invited to dress up as monsters from their favourite books.
Sheila Glass, from the school, said: “Everyone had a great time.”
The school also celebrates Science Week from March 12, and parents are being invited into the school to work with the children on practical activities.
There will also be a visit from Adrian Bowden and his Travelling Science Show who will perform their show for Reception and Key Stage 1 children in the morning and Key Stage 2 children in the afternoon.
Man, 36, held after
attack on pensioner
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are questioning a 36-year-old Warrington man after a woman of 81 was attacked in the street.
The pensioner was attacked when a man attempted to snatch her handbag in Poplars Avenue, near its junction with Howson Road, Orford, yesterday (Wednesday).
The alleged attacker was arrested shortly afterwards.
Police are anxious to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident, around 1.40pm.
They are particularly would like to speak to two passersby who went to the victim’s assistance after the attack and took her by car to a relative’s home in Orford Lane.
Anyone who can help, or who knows who the two passersby are, is asked to call police on 01244 and ask for DC Gordon Wilson or DC Stuart Clay.
Pensioners to get
day time use of hall
by Mark Hemmings
PENSIONERS at Warrington have been offered a trial period of daytime use for the Parr Hall.
A meeting between borough councillors and representatives of older people was told the borough council was prepared to give them access to the hall during the day for various week-day activities ? subject to availability.
Alf Clemo of the Older People’s Forum (OPF) said: “This is not exactly what we had in mind but is a step in the right direction. The plans we had to take complete control of the venue seem to have been put on hold for the time being.
“The problem is, as long as the Parr Hall is under the council’s control in any capacity, I am unable to get the appropriate funding I need. There are lots of pots of money that have more or less been promised to me for using on things like renovation of the building, but they’re only available if the venue is being run independently.
“It?s all right being offered the use of the Parr Hall but it?s the cost that concerns me. Initially it may be affordable but as with the other council run venues in the town the price will slowly increase making it unaffordable for us.
“To me this is just the council trying to prove to people, and possible investors that the Parr Hall is not a dying duck but a building that is being used regularly.”
The council has put forward a ?6.8 million to revamp the hall. But the pensioners believe if they took it over and ran it as a charity they could slash running costs.
Deputy leader of the council Keith Bland said: “We must make it very clear that there is plenty going on away from the town centre which involves the integration of older people into active and healthy lives. However, I do see there is a need for something centrally located in the town centre which is open to all older people from across the town.”
Pensioners have been told to put forward a business plan after they have seen what response they get to the trial period of daytime use.
Students set new
attendance records
by Lesley Wilkinson
A CELEBRATION and prize-giving was held at a Warrington college to mark record-breaking attendance by students.
Priestley College records show that 669 students had attendance figures of 95 per cent or more and 241 achieved 100 per cent attendance – which compares to 551 and 107 for the same period last year.
A register is taken at every lesson during the day – and Advanced level students need to collect up to 18 attendan
ce marks at separate classes each week to maintain a 100 per cent record.
College staff say that high attendance figures usually correlate with excellent academic performance.
A series of prizes were awarded to students – including ?200 in high street gift vouchers to AS student Wesley James, who travels from Frodsham each day.
Other prizes included electrical goods including ipod shuffles, TV and DVD combos and digital cameras. Prizes were also awarded to groups with good attendance figures.
Head of performance management Jan Costello said: “We are delighted with the attendance figures from the first term. They show that our continued monitoring of student attendance is working well and we know from past experience that those who attend such a high volume of classes tend to have excellent academic results.
“Priestley continues to pride itself on making its environment as welcoming as possible, meaning that we offer our young people the opportunity to flourish both inside and outside of lesson time.”
Village prepares for
“twin town” visitors
by Lesley Wilkinson
A GROUP of more than 50 people from France will visit Lymm in May to mark the 40th anniversary of its twinning with Meung-sur-Loire.
The group of 44 adults and 10 children are visiting from France and will spend four nights with hosts in and around the village
Trip organisers hope to arrange an informal welcome for guests with Lymm Parish Council, shortly after arrival on May 16.
On Thursday May 17 there will be a morning gathering in the village, with a choice of short or longer walks on the Lymm Heritage Trail.
The following day there will be a group excursion to North Wales including a visit by the Miners’ Tramway to the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, followed by a steam train trip from Porthmadog on the Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway and a visit to the village of Portmeirion.
On Saturday May 19 there will be a reception at Lymm High School, with a four-course meal, entertainment and dancing.
Scouts offer
plants for sale
by staff reporter
SCOUTS at Stockton Heath will be offering gardeners in the village a chance to buy spring bedding plants in aid of Scout funds.
A wide selection of plants has been sourced from a local, high quality nurseryman.
Pre-ordered plants can be collected from the Scout Centre, in Parkgate Road or, delivered free to your door by the scouts and parent helpers.
A plant sale will take place at the scout centre Saturday April 28 with any remaining stock being sold the following morning.
Profits from the event will go to support the continued refurbishment of the Scout Centre and encouraging young people to take part in challenging adventurous activities.
How to stop smoking
the hynotherapy way
by John Hendon
QUALIFIED hypnotherapists will be working at three supermarkets on National No Smoking Day, March 14 ? to help smokers prepare for the ban on smoking in public buildings which comes into force this summer.
Members of the National Council for Hypnotherapy are working together in partnership with ASDA to help the nation get rid of smoking and will be in the company?s three stores in Warrington.
They will talk to staff and customers about how hypnotherapy can help them to finally get rid of their smoking habits.
Research based evidence shows that hypnotherapy may be the most effective method to help smokers to stop when compared to all other methods. More importantly hypnotherapy is believed to be the most successful at helping smokers remain stopped.
Paul Howard, of Culcheth, spokesman for the National Council for Hypnotherapy said, ?Hypnotherapy works by changing the subconscious beliefs and behaviours that smokers have developed that support their smoking habit.
?The subconscious mind influences our smoking behaviour in several ways, Repetitious behaviour becomes automatic, emotional triggers may mean for example that we smoke when we are bored or stressed, psychological triggers may mean that we desire to smoke in certain places or at certain times. Virtually all smokers use smoking as a reward. These reward systems underpin the belief in the subconscious that they need to smoke.
?Of course these beliefs are inappropriate and by using hypnotherapy we help the subconscious to re-evaluate these beliefs and behaviours and to understand that smoking is damaging, not rewarding.?
[ 13.03.2007, 18:10: Message edited by: DS ]
