MP wants facts on hospital merger

A WARRINGTON MP is tackling the Government in a bid to find out the truth about proposals to merge Warrington and Whiston hospitals.
Helen Jones, MP for Warrington North, wants the Government to answer important questions about the future of Warrington Hospital.
She said comments by Tory Ministers suggesedt that a potential merger between cash-strapped Whiston and the Warrington and Halton Hospitals Trust could take place.
Ms Jones has also tabled written questions to the Secretary of State for Health demanding to know what discussions Ministers have had on a possible merger and when it was first discussed.
The MP said: “Two Ministers have now said in the House of Commons that a merger is one possible answer to the problems at Whiston. In that case there must be a piece of paper in the department which sets out these options.
“Why won’t Ministers come clean and tell us their plans?”
She said the future of Warrington Hospital was too important for the Government to hold back information and that people have a right to know what had been discussed.
“I have received one answer from the Minister that indicates informal discussions have taken place and also that Warrington and Halton Trust has been identified as a potential merger partner,” she said.
“What patients and staff need is clear answers from the Government and I will continue to press them.”