Health care storm: doctors
to share public platform
by David Skentelbery
HEALTH chiefs have promised to hold an extra public consultation meeting on the controversial proposals to re-organise primary health care in Warrington.
The meeting will be at the Parr Hall within the next couple of weeks ? and representatives of the town?s doctors will be invited to share the platform with officials of Warrington Primary Care Trust (PCT).
Date of the meeting has not yet been announced by the PCT but is believed to be May 1 at 7pm.
The additional meeting has been arranged following a chaotic meeting at the Halliwell Jones Stadium which had to be abandoned because of the number of people who turned up.
PCT acting chief executive Jon Tomlinson said: ?More than 120 people turned up and we weren?t expecting that many. We never really know how many to expect but this was far more than the previous meeting.
?As a result, we have arranged to have an extra meeting at the Parr Hall which is an excellent venue.
?We hope to have the doctors represented so that all issues can be fully examined.?
The re-organisation proposed by the PCT would involve building five new super health centres ? variously dubbed as ?mini hospitals? or ?health supermarkets.?
They would be staffed by GPs, nurses, physiotherapists, etc and even dentists. They would have facilities for minor surgery, gymnasiums and coffee lounges and would be located on major bus routes. Free parking would be provided.
But GPs ? who claim they have not been adequately consulted ? say the idea will not work. They claim it will lead to huge practices involving up to 30 doctors and that the traditional relationship between family doctor and patient will be broken.
They also claim it will mean the closure of most, if not all, of the existing 40 GP surgeries across the borough.
Patients are worried that it will result in lengthy journeys to visit the doctor ? and that they will find it more difficult to see their own GP.
Council’s ?73,000 bill
for lost planning appeals
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Borough Council had to pay out a massive ?73,000 in costs as a result of losing planning appeals in the last financial year.
This compares with a total of ?82,000 over the last three years.
But the increase results from a small number of high profile cases as, in general, decisions over the last 12 months have been supported on appeal to a greater extent than was the case in the previous year, according to planning chief John Groves.
It is difficult to draw specific conclusions or identify trends from the figures, he says in a report to the development control committee.
But it is possible that some costs would be avoided if decisions were seen to be more clearly supported with evidence and therefore less open to challenge.
Mr Groves says that historically a ratio of one appeal allowed out of three decisions is considered reasonable.
This was achieved in 2004-05 but the following year saw an increase in the number of successful appeals. Last year, only one in five appeals have been successful.
The greatest number of appeals relate to domestic extensions – 12 out of 30 last year. Three were successful.
Six of the 30 appeals related to residential schemes. All four which were recommended for refusal by officers were the subject of dismissed appeals. One refused against officers’ advice was allowed. One recommended for approval but refused was subsequently dismissed on appeal.
Again, Mr Groves says it is difficult to read any pattern or trend.
“Where clear housing supply policies are identified appeal decisions invariably follow officer recommendation.
“When refusal is based on issues which are more subjective, such as design, impact on character or street scene, there is greater prospect of a decision which goes against an officer recommendation of approval and supports refusal by members.
“However, history indicates that these decisions are also at greatest risk of generating reasons for refusal which cannot be adequately supported, with consequent prospects for dismissed appeals and award of costs.”
There is a sound basis for further member training and ongoing review of process to seek to ensure that decisions are made so as minimise the risk of costs without undermining the fundamental objectives of the planning process, Mr Groves adds.
Garden centre backs
amazing Mia
by Gary Skentelbery
A WARRINGTON based garden centre has discovered the perfect person to front its fundraising efforts for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital during 2007.
Three year old Mia Loudon from Warrington – who is one of only four people in the UK to suffer with the rare CDKL5 condition – will be the face of Bents’ fundraising campaign and she and her family will enjoy VIP treatment throughout the year.
Following the huge success of Bents’ 2006 charity of the year- raising over ?4500 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust – the Glazebury based garden centre has once again set itself a challenge and, with Mia’s help, hopes to beat last year’s total.
Mia was born in July 2003 and in September 2005 was diagnosed with the extremely rare genetic disorder – CDKL5. At the time of her diagnosis, Mia was only the 2nd child in the UK to suffer from this condition and only the 17th in the world.
This very rare condition means that Mia has severe and uncontrollable epilepsy and is unable to walk or talk. Despite her own personal challenges, Mia is a very brave and beautiful little girl with ‘smiley eyes’ and is already involved in fundraising initiatives.
Matthew Bent, Managing Director of Bents Garden Centre said: “We are delighted to be joined by Mia for our 2007 campaign for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. She’s already had a lot of fundraising practice, raising money and awareness for her condition and we hope her expertise will help us throughout the year! We look forward to being joined by Mia and her family at our various fundraising events and hope they enjoy being involved with Bents.”
Says Paula Loudon, Mia’s mum: “Mia has been in and out of Alder Hey all of her life and we thought it would be lovely to give something back to the hospital. By winning the competition to front Bents’ 2007 fundraising campaign Mia not only has the opportunity to raise awareness about the hospital but also help to boost funds for the Imagine Appeal.”
Alder Hey is the largest children’s hospital in Europe, treating 200,000 young people every year. The Imagine Appeal is the hospital’s new charity, which helps to raise funds to continue the pioneering work that is carried out for its young patients.
Celebrating 100
years of golf
by Gary Skentelbery
Celebrations to mark the centenary of Lymm Golf Club near Warrington, got into swing when the Centenary Bridge on the 1st Tee was officially opened by Club Captain John Dixon and Lesley Peak Lady Captain.
This was followed by the Captain’s Drive In, which signified the start of John’s year in office.
An estimated one hundred members turned up to mark event.
The Club will also took the opportunity to launch the Centenary Book entitled “LYMM GOLF CLUB” A History of the First 100 Years, written by club member, retired Head Teacher Mr.John Goodier with assistance from past and present members.
The book details the many changes and improvements which have occurred to the course and clubhouse over the years, including the original construction of the course within the the old meander of the River Mersey, isolatd by the cutting of the Manchester Ship Canal.
Many Course improvements have been made for the Centenary Year, including construction of the Centenary Bridge. During a year of celebrations there will be a number of other events starting with the official opening of the renovated clubhouse, followed later in the year by the Summer Centenary Ball, an Edwardian Golf Day and ma
ny matches against other golf clubs.
One very successful project started by Lymm was to set up a “Society of 2007 Centenary Golf Clubs” which has attracted over 30 members, including one from the Phillipines and one from Italy.
The rules allow members to play free of charge at other clubs and this is already proving very popular and successful.
Beer and wine
festival
by staff reporter
THE Stockton Heath Beer and Wine Festival will be held on Saturday, April 21 – organised for the third year running by the 4th Warrington Scout Group.
Beers and wines will be available with live music from local five-piece band Mandrills.
The event will be at the Scout Centre on Parkgate Road and will be supported by the Campaign for Real Ale who will select traditional beers from the best breweries in the North West. Already selected is “Wobbly Bob” – a favourite at the 2005 and 2006 festivals. There will also be a quality wine list.
The festival is in aid of the on-going refurbishment of the Scout Centre and to encouragine young people to take part in challenging adventurous activities. Further information is available from Peter Ratcliffe on 01925 264122.
Open Gardens raise
?8,500 for charity
by staff reporter
As part of Lymm Festival, Lymm Open Gardens are now in their third successful year and have so far raised ?8,500 for St Roccos Hospice and other charities
Ten new “gorgeous” gardens will be on display on Sunday afternoon July 1, with refreshments or stalls at all of the gardens.
Due to the revived interest in fruit and vegetable gardening, the allotments at Sow Brook and Star Lane and the Oughtrington Community Orchard will also be open. A fabulous afternoon with something for everyone.
Tickets will be available from Lymm Festival Box Office.
[ 04.07.2007, 13:56: Message edited by: DS ]
