A POSSIBLE merger between Warrington Hospital and Whiston Hospital HAS been discussed, a Government Minister has confirmed.
Warrington North MP Helen Jones (pictured|) has called for urgent clarification on the controversial proposals after the talks 
were confirmed in response to her written Parliamentary question.
Anna Soubry, Parliamentary-under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health, answered Ms Jones’ question, confirming that the Government was aware a partnership between St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had been discussed.
Ms Jones said NHS officials had previously denied any discussions had taken place.
The MP said: “Finally we have proof that discussions have taken place about the possible merger of Warrington Hospital with Whiston Hospital.
“It is outrageous that local people have been misled and that it took a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Health to get to the truth.
“I have been warning about the possible merger of our hospital with Whiston since May last year and I know local people are really concerned about plans that could affect our hospital.
“The two NHS groups need to put the full details of what they have discussed so far in the open so that local people can see just what is being proposed. A merger could have huge affects on Warrington Hospital and people have a right to know what is being proposed.”
The full reply from the health minister was: “We are aware that the board of St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has discussed a partnership with Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as one of the options they will consider in determining a strategy that will secure the sustainable provision of high quality healthcare services.
“This options appraisal is in support of the trust’s plan for achievement of foundation trust status as a stand alone organisation or as part of some new organisational configuration.
“No process has yet been initiated to formally seek a partner by the trust and would only be commenced if the options appraisal were to conclude that approach as the future strategy for the organisation with the necessary stakeholder support for this.”
Hospital merger talks confirmed
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
2 Comments
It is only fair for us to respond and say that we have been very clear that we have not been involved in any discussions about taking over St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals, or about any merger.
The only partnership discussions we have been involved in relate to services we have shared across both hospital trusts for some time for the benefit of local patients – like out of hours stroke services for patients needing thrombolysis drugs – and plans to provide a shared pathology service across our area.
It has been known for a long time that if St Helens and Knowsley cannot become a Foundation Trust due to financial issues then one of the options they would have would to be taken over by an existing Foundation Trust like ourselves here in Warrington. However, they have been very clear that they are still moving towards FT status themselves and they believe they can achieve this.
We’re an open organisation and if that situation was to change and any discussions were to take place then we would report that to our public Governors’ Council meetings and to the wider public. However, our focus at the hospitals is very much on our services, investment in Warrington and Halton Hospitals and concentrating on our own future.
Chris Horner
On behalf of Warrington and Halton Hospitals
Prior to 1974 the heathcare services in Widnes were provided by Whiston. When Halton borough was created in 1974 the local GP’s remained loyal to referring patients to Whiston rather than to Warrington. Since Warrington took over Halton it has closed almost all the impatient wards, critical care units, and many more of the services that were provided. All have been transferred over to Warrington Hospital. Many of the patients in Runcorn are angry at what Warrington has carried out at Halton. If you asked the locals to select which hospital would you like to use. The answer would be Whiston. Whiston could provide a hot services and St Helens & Halton could be used as scheduled cold care sites. A merger between Halton, Whiston & St Helens.
Leave Warrington Hospital serve it’s local patients only, as they consider travelling is not acceptable solution. However They forget that the paitents from Halton have had to travel to Whiston and Warrington, but the find that is acceptable practice. Warrington has a shortage of beds, however they have closed all of the inpatient wards at Halton.