Boris Johnson officially opens new £5m Radiology centre at Warrington Hospital

UPDATED: PRIME Minister Boris Johnson made a whistle-stop visit to Warrington Hospital to officially open a new £5m radiology centre funded by the Government, taking time to pose for a selfie with staff and to receive a No. 10 “Boris” Warrington Wolves shirt.

He was joined by Warrington South MP Andy Carter, who is campaigning for a new hospital for the town, as he met staff following the recent government investment of over £5m to deliver new MRI and CT scanners with accompanying new reconfigured imaging suites and facilities.

This has enabled the Trust to deliver more diagnostic services for patients and increased research and teaching capabilities, further bolstering the town’s healthcare infrastructure.

Mr Johnson was also able to take a tour of the new A&E department at the hospital, seeing the progress that has been made on the impressive £6.3m extension. He also praised the efforts of staff for their work and resilience throughout the pandemic.

During the visit he took time to pose for a “selfie” with staff and was also presented with a primrose and blue Warrington Wolves N. 10 “Boris” shirt, by Club Chairman Stuart Middleton, showing support for the Ukraine. Mr Middleton pointed out to the Prime Minister that House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, son of former Warrington North MP Lord Hoyle, wore the club tie in the House, showing his support for the country under attack from Russia.

He also performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the MRI Centre and also toured other building works taking place on site.

The visit comes as only last week, the Prime Minister wished the NHS Trust every success in its bid for a new hospital, currently with the government for consideration, following a question from Andy Carter in PMQs.

Commenting on the visit, Mr Carter said: “I asked him to support my campaign for a new hospital in Warrington and just a week later he’s here, seeing first-hand the progress that has been made in following investment in our radiology and A&E services, but also why for the long-term we need a new hospital to help cope with growth in population and increasing demand.

“Everyone I speak to is very proud of the brilliant staff at the hospital for the work they put in every day to care for people in Warrington, they led the way with different innovations throughout the pandemic to save lives, but now is the time to update the facilities with modern, state-of-the-art theatres and ward with much greater capacity.

“Getting the Prime Minister to come to Warrington is a very welcome step in the right direction, and I will continue to make the case in Parliament and with officials until we get the decision that we need, a new hospital for the town.”

Warrington & Halton NHS Trust has submitted a bid to the Government for a new hospital in a town centre location and a decision is due to be made in the coming months. Currently, the national programme comprises 40 pre-existing schemes with a further 8 yet to be confirmed new hospitals, totalling 48 new hospitals across the country.

Chief Executive of Warrington Hospital, Professor Simon Constable said: “The town of Warrington has simply outgrown its hospital, its ageing buildings and facilities.

“This is evident in the pressures our Emergency Department experiences every day. In a space designed to cope with 150 patients a day we are regularly treating 300. Patient safety and treatment quality remains paramount, and our team is to be commended for maintaining high standards despite the restrictions of the estate.

“This investment in our estate will support the hospital to maintain services until such time as we are able to secure a new hospital for Warrington, as well as redevelop and enhance our Halton site in a way that is complementary. We have submitted a proposal to secure one of the last remaining eight places in HM Government’s national new hospitals’ programme which will provide grant funding totalling £3.7billion.

“We are incredibly grateful to The Prime Minister for his flying visit today to view some of the outcomes of national funding and our own capital programme.”