Hospital bed cut-backs
hit council budgets
by David Skentelbery
CUT-backs in hospital beds at Warrington have been accompanied by a 24 per cent rise in care costs for elderly people with mental health problems, the borough council has been told.
The 5 Boroughs Partnership Trust ? which is responsible for mental health provision in Warrington ? has closed a ward at Hollins Park Hospital, Winwick and there have been ?significant bed reductions? at Warrington Hospital.
Simultaneously, the borough council has experienced an increase in costs for care packages for older people with mental health problems, according to a report to be considered by the council?s health overview scrutiny committee.
Residential and nursing care placements for the elderly with mental health problems have increased from 267 to 330 – a 24 per cent increase compared to seven per cent increases in the previous two years.
Domiciliary care costs for this group of clients has similarly increased, as home support now needs to be more intensive.
The report is on the 5 Boroughs Trust ?Change for the Better? initiative, which caused considerable controversy earlier this year because of fears of bed cuts and diminished services.
A number of organisations in the town, including the borough council, expressed concerns over the initiative.
The report concedes that substantial progress has been made by 5 Boroughs Trust in implementing ?Change for the Better?.
Working with the council and its adult and older people?s mental health services, the Trust has safely achieved planned bed reductions in adult services.
This has been helped by the full establishment of a Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team and the continued effectiveness of the three integrated Adult Community Mental Health Teams – including psychiatric nurses, social workers, doctors and support workers.
Similarly the implementation of services based at Wakefield House (formerly the Gatehouse) on the Warrington Hospital site is being increasingly effective.
However, there are other outstanding issues which require further action, the report adds.
Progress in implementing developments in Older People’s Mental Health Service has been slower and is contributing to increased demand for community services.
The Trust’s proposals are aimed at achieving “financial balance” for the Trust, which earlier this year was in a ?7 million deficit situation.
The borough council spends around ?4 million a year on adult mental health services and a further ?8 million on the mental health needs for older people and any reduction in Trust provision potentially impacts on the council’s budgets.
Student pair are young
ambassadors for sport
by Lesley Wilkinson
TWO Warrington sports students have landed the prestigious role of Young Ambassadors for Sport, as part of a national programme.
Mark Smith and Craig McCarthy, both of Priestley College, have just completed their first assignment when they joined other representatives from the North West at Lancashire Cricket Club in Old Trafford.
Several students from Warrington had been invited to apply for the role, and the pair beat the competition to represent the town.
The aim of the programme is to promote key principles to their peers, including healthy living, increased participation in sport and promoting events such as the London 2012 Olympic games.
Second year student Mark, 17, of Appleton, who recently won the Sports Personality of the Year Award after impressing for England in the Rugby League Home Nations, is studying the BTEC National Diploma in Exercise Science.
Craig, 18, of Penketh, is studying the BTEC National Diploma in Sport.
Both met a number of the UK’s leading athletes, including Adam Whitehead (Olympic swimmer) and Miriam Batten (Olympic rower), at Old Trafford.
Mark said: “It’s great to be helping other young people via this role. The objectives of the programme are close to my own in terms of getting people involved in sport and encouraging them to lead a healthier lifestyle.
“I feel honoured to have been selected and I will be doing all I can to use the skills that I have learnt to make a real difference in the local community.”
Developer’s pledge
on road safety fears
by David Skentelbery
A DEVELOPER has pledged that he will not start building a new shops and office complex until possible traffic hazards have been resolved.
Brian Foden, of Briden Homes gave the undertaking as Warrington?s development control committee gave the go-ahead for his scheme in Warrington Road, Penketh.
The scheme involves demolition of a hardware shop and builders? yard and construction of a two-storey block of shops with offices on the first floor near to the junction with Heath Road.
More than 30 residents, backed by local councillors George Warburton and Linda Dirir had expressed concern over proposal to move an existing bus stop to provide access to the development.
They argued that the bus stop would be right opposite the busy junction with Heath Road, used daily by 1,800 pupils and staff from Penketh High School. Over the years there have been a number of accidents at the junction ? including one involving a school girl who was nearly killed.
Coun Warburton and Coun Dirir said they had no problems with the principle of the development and, indeed, believed a good convenience store would benefit the community. But they were concerned about moving the bus stop.
The new development will adjoin the existing shops in Warrington Road, which include a clothing store, petrol station, newsagents and hot food takeaway.
Residents? objections related to increased traffic and congestion, highway safety, reduced security for a parking area, loss of privacy, loss of trees, etc.
Planning officers say the scale of the proposal would not cause any significant increase in traffic or congestion and the relocated bus stop would not cause any problems.
Mr Foden said the development would not go ahead until any problems over the bus stop causing traffic hazards had been satisfactorily resolved.
Man robbed by
stranger in street
by John Hendon
A MAN was robbed by a complete stranger who got into conversation with him in a Warrington street.
The 23-year-old man was walking along Capesthorne Road, Orford when he was approached by a man who walked along with him, chatting.
They both went in a chemists? shop ? and when they came out and continued on into Caldbeck Avenue the stranger threatened the 23-year-old and demanded money.
The terrified victim handed over ?20 and the offender walked off along an alleyway near the library in Poplars Avenue.
Police say the offender was about 5ft 10 inches tall and of medium build with a spotty complexion and stubble. He was wearing a jumper with blue and pink stripes and dark tracksuit bottoms and spoke with a local accent.
Anyone who witnessed the incident on Wednesday, September 26 is asked to call DC Darren Wright on 01244 614893 or call the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
Conservatory would
be “over fussy”
by John Hendon
AN independent inspector has thrown out an appeal against the refusal of planning consent for a conservatory at the rear of The Beeches, in Warrington Road, Higher Walton.
Warrington Borough Council refused permission for the conservatory extension on an existing patio area some time ago but the applicant appealed against the decision.
The inspector who considered the appeal said the extension would not be inappropriate in the green belt but its design would be harmful to the appearance of the original house and would be incongruous and have an ?over fussy? appearance.
It would also result in an unacceptable degree of overlooking of the neighbouring property.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WIN
NING numbers in Warrington Hospital League of Friends lottery this week are 5, 6, 8 and 12. There were no winners of the ?586 jackpot. The ?25 consolation prize went to a member of hospital staff.
Smokers’ shelter
PLANS have been submitted for a retractable awning and heat lamp to provide shelter for smokers outside the Blue Bell pub in Horsemarket Street, Warrington.
Care home plan
A THREE-storey care home will be built in Delenty Drive, Birchwood, Warrington if plans drawn up by St George Ultimate Care Ltd are accepted by the borough’s development control chiefs. The scheme would involve demolition of an existing building.
Speed limit
A TEMPORARY 40mph speed limit has been introduced on the A57 Manchester Road, Warrington from its junction with the Mt to the boundary with Salford to allow major water main and service renewals to take place. It is expected the restriction will apply for about eight weeks.
