Consultation exercise
condemned as “sham”
by David Skentelbery
A MAJOR public consultation exercise on the future of mental health care in Warrington has been slammed as “a sham” by an angry community leader.
Bob Stewart, chairman of Warrington’s Islamic Association says the consultation being carried out by the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust is “a waste of time.”
He said: “It is not a proper consultation. They are simply calling meetings to tell people what they are going to do. It is a sham.”
Mr Stewart hit out in particular at prosposals to close the Gatehouse Assessment Centre in Guardian Street, Warrington and replace it with facilities at Hollins Park Hospital, Winwick.
He said: “The so-called consultation exercise is called ‘Change for the Better’ – but moving the services provided by the Gatehouse to Winwick is definitely a change for the worse.
“It will be worse for patients, worse for staff and worse for relatives wanting to visit patients.
“These proposals are not to make things better – they are to save money.”
But the 5 Boroughs Trust has hit back.
A spokeswoman said: “The Trust is keen to hear views from the full range of stakeholders on all aspects of the proposals before final decisions are made and is keen to stress that no decisions have been taken in advance.”
She said the Trust had launched a 12-week formal consultation process on June l on proposals to improve mental health services for the adult populations of Halton, St. Helens, Knowsley and Warrington. The consultation followed detailed work with Primary Care Trust and Local Authority Commissioners to develop the best way to deliver more accessible, sustainable and effective services for adults with mental health needs.
She said: “It is important during the consultation process that the proposals for future development are shared as widely as possible. The Trust is keen to receive feedback on the proposals from service users, carers and the public and is therefore holding a number of public events to ensure as many people as possible have an opportunity to hear what is proposed, ask questions directly to Trust members, and make comments.
“Mental Health Strategies, an independent agency, will collate and analyse all comments and responses received during the consultation and provide a report on completion.
“Within the proposals, there are potential changes to the types of services currently offered and the location from which they are delivered. The Trust is keen to hear the views from the full range of stakeholders on all aspects of the proposals before final decisions are made and is keen to stress that no decisions have been taken in advance.”
The spokeswoman added that the Trust wanted to receive as many comments and views as possible before the consultation ended on Friday, August 24. The consultation document “Change for the Better” can be accessed on the Trust website www.5boroughspartnership.nhs.uk
Man injured in blast
at aluminium plant
by David Skentelbery
A MAN was injured after an explosion at an aluminium recycling plant at Warrington last night.
The incident was at the Novellis plant – formerly Alcan – in Thelwall Lane, Latchford.
Fire crews were called to the scene after the explosion in the smelting plant. Hot liquid metal was hurled into the air – and landed on one member of staff.
The injured man was taken to hospital but his condition is not yet known.
Fire crews initially had to use extinguishers to tackle a fire involving electrical ducting running across the ceiling and power supplies to the whole complex had to be switched off before hosereels could be brought into use.
Two fire engines were involved in the operation and were at the scene for about an hour and-a-half.
Comedy and drama –
with two deckchairs!
by Mark Hemmings
SUCCESS on stage in 2005, with two sell out performances of Alan Bennett’s ?Talking Heads?, and raising almost a thousand pounds for charity, has prompted local theatre company The Three Amigos to put on another performance.
This year their offering is ?Deckchairs?, a series of one-act plays. Each play has a cast of two women, and the simplistic set consists of two deckchairs!
The cast of seven actresses will present three comedies – “Dancers?, ?Shoppers?, ?Doggies”, and two dramas – “Late Frost? and ?Early Blight”.
Director Roy Hayes said: “The pieces are all very different and will provide a great evening’s entertainment. The seating will be table settings to help create a relaxed atmosphere and wine will be on sale with nibbles for free!”
The Three Amigos are all set to perform ?Deckchairs? at the St Thomas’ Hall, Stockton Heath on Friday July 7 at 7.30pm.
Funds raised on the evening will go to St Rocco’s Hospice and the restoration of St Thomas’ hall. Starting at 7.30pm, tickets are priced at ?7 with ?5 concessions. For more information and tickets contact, Jan Messenger on Warrington 634850.
The Three Amigos are also appearing at The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn on Saturday July 8 and tickets for that performance are available from the Brindley Box Office on 0151 907 8360.
89-year-old woman
attacked and robbed
by David Skentelbery
AN 89-year-old woman was dragged to the ground during a robbery at Warrington.
The woman was waiting at a bus stop near the Ring ‘O’ Bells pub in Longshaw Street when a man approached her and grabbed at her purse and handbag.
There was a struggle during which the woman fell to the ground, suffering bruising to her face and knees.
The offender ran off, chased by passersby, and escaped in a black Renault Turbo Deisel, registration number L 594 TOT. This vehicle was later found abandoned.
Police say the offender was aged 35-45, of average height, thin and of scruffy, untidy appearance. He was seen to get into the car.
Anyone who can help police with information about the incident is asked to call PC Ian Allen on 01244 613730.
Parents warned about
scalds and burns
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON?S Sandy Lane Sure Start Children’s Centre is supporting parents to protect their children from burns and scalds next week, as part of National Child Safety Week.
On Tuesday June 20, staff at the Orford centre will be holding an open day for families to find out how they can avoid potentially life threatening burns and scalds, both in the home and when out and about.
Health visitors will be on hand to advise parents what to do if their child does have an accident, while free fire safety checks can be booked on the day with Cheshire Fire Service.
Throughout the week, the centre will be offering various activities for all the family themed around keeping children safe. Staff will be giving talks on first aid/safety with burns and scalds. The carer and toddler groups will focus on protecting young skin from the damage of sunburn, particularly timely with all the recent hot weather.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, the borough council?s executive member for Children’s Services, said: “The health and safety of all children across the borough is a priority for the council. Initiatives including this one are a good way of helping to get advice across to parents and carers an I would advise anyone who can, to go along to the open day.
?Obviously I hope that most people will never have to deal with serious situations involving children and life threatening burns but it is important to know what to do as it could save a child’s life.”
Avril Smith, Sure Start for all Health Visitor, has seen first hand the damage that even a cup of tea that been standing for 20 minutes can do to a baby’s delicate skin.
She said: “Protecting young children from burns and scalds can be as simple as keeping tea and coffee out of reach, hiding matches and lighters, and ensuring pan ha
ndles are turned away so they cant easily be knocked over. We are even giving away some free safety equipment to start parents off!”.
Village Design Statement
would not save school
by Lesley Wilkinson
A VILLAGE Design Statement would not help the campaign to save Stockton Heath Primary School, according to a Town Hall expert.
Michele Wilder, urban and rural designer with Warrington Borough Council, said preparation of a Village Design Statement took, on average, four years and involved public meetings and wide consultation to ensure it had the support of the whole community.
She was addressing a meeting of Stockton Heath Parish Council, who were considering whether to prepare a design statement for the village.
Her comments – in particular one which implied Stockton Heath was no longer a village – angered members of the Save Stockton Heath Primary School Action who were at the meeting.
One accused her of a “lack of enthusiasm” for the plan and claimed she was trying to dissuade the parish council from proceeding with the idea.
But she responded: “I am just being realistic about the time and work involved.”
Action group member Patrick Mullee said: “The action group is making its own village design statement. But we know that time is not on our side at the moment.”
Ms Wilder said: “A statement gets its status from the whole community being behind it. The time of the consultation gives it weight.
“The action group would have to draw up a statement and get the whole community behind it – you have to do more than just gather signatures.”
Members heard a design statement would guide future development of the village based on its character. It would not stop development but would help to control it and ensure it was in character.
Coun Peter Walker said that people in Lymm, which already has a statement, believed it had had little impact on development. They felt a lot of development carried out was out of character with the area.
The council decided it needed more time to consider whether to proceed with a statement.
Top tournament launches
super new tennis centre
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON?S premier tennis tournament gets under way today (Saturday) ? and for the first time in years it will be held on a single site.
The Stockton Heath Tournament is hosted in turn by Stockton Heath, Grappenhall and Warrington tennis clubs. But in the past, ?overflow? matches have had to take place at one of the ?non ?host? clubs.
This year the hosts are Grappenhall ? and the tournament will be the first competitive event to take place on the club?s new courts in Stockton Lane.
Eight new courts have been built on the site ? which the club shares with Grappenhall Sports Club ? and a new clubhouse is under construction.
Because the clubhouse is not yet complete, a marquee and tents have been erected for the tournament, which attracts players from all over the Warrington area and beyond.
The club has moved from its former home in Bradshaw Lane as part of a deal with developers Prestigious Living, who will build new homes on the old site.
To mark the occasion, additional awards will be made this year ? the Prestigious Oscars ? which will be presented in a variety of categories such as ?best turned out man?, ?best turned out lady?, etc.
Club spokeswoman Lorraine Sinclair said: ?This is just a bit of fun. People who take part will be able to vote to decide who gets the Oscars.?
The new club will eventually benefit from floodlit courts, modern changing facilities, bar etc. But for the tournament, refreshments will be provided under canvas.
