WARRINGTON Disability Partnership has launched their latest new service which will help thousands of people visiting Warrington Hospital.
Working in Partnership with Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with support from ten local businesses, the service will provide information, advice and guidance on disability matters, based within a retail store offering mobility and independent living products.
More than 30 guests were present at the official opening event including the Mayor of Warrington Cllr Karen Mundry, representatives from health, social care, local businesses and members of WDP’s Board of Trustees and staff.
WDP Chief Executive Dave Thompson MBE DL, said: “There are nearly 14 million reasons why this service is needed, as there are 14 million disabled people living in the UK and 60,000 live in Warrington and Halton.
“That’s not to mention 40,000 carers,” added Dave at the official opening of the new Mobility and Independent Living service at Warrington Hospital.
Each week hundreds of people leave Warrington Hospitals ward or outpatients departments facing a new life after a diagnosis of a debilitating and often long-term health condition, affecting their everyday lives at home and in work.
Steve McGuirk, Chair at the Trust said: “This new service will provide our patients and staff with direct access to mobility and independent living products, as well as peer support, information, advice and guidance to disabled people, from disabled people, at the point where people need it most”.
Dave added, “This will help to rebuild confidence, improve self-esteem and enable disabled people to have more independence and choices on how they live”.
Before cutting the ribbon to open the new service, the Mayor paid tribute to the local businesses who have financially supported the new venture. These include Cheshire Telecom, BAS (NW), Dunky’s Day Nursery, Foden Estates, Mech Tech Automotive, Central Self Drive, The Print Company, Toni & Guy, Hoppy Trust and Health Service Money Claims.
The new service has provided employment to two disabled people and is located in the orthopaedic fracture clinic, at the rear of the Warrington Hospital site and is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
