Views sought over hospital services move

VIEWS are being sought on moving hospital services to Runcorn Shopping City.

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH) said the “health hub” will host outpatient appointments for ophthalmology (eye), audiology (ears), and dietetics (diet) and a new hydroxychloroquine screening service.

A WHH spokeswoman said the move will make it easier to access the services, some of which will be expanded to offer a bigger range of tests.

She said residents will also no longer need to travel out of the borough and the risk of entering a hospital space during the Covid-19 pandemic will be reduced.

Audiology and ophthalmology is expected to move 300 meters from Halton Hospital’s outpatient department to the Shopping City while dietetics would move from St Paul’s Health Centre on High Street about two miles away.

The spokeswoman said there will be no change to staffing levels, and vacated hospital space will be used for other services such as those relocating from Warrington.

She said this is in keeping with the trust’s plan to develop Halton Hospital as its main elective (non-urgent planned treatment) site.

The spokeswoman said: “No estate will be lost or decommissioned at Halton Hospital.

“The views on this proposal are being sought from patients and members of the public during March, ahead of formal public consultation taking place from April.”

An online survey is available and paper booklets and materials in alternative languages and format are available by contacting whh. communications@nhs. net or calling 01925 662 114.

The proposals follow years of snubbed bids for funding to redevelop Halton Hospital, on Hospital Way in Runcorn, as a hospital and health campus, and five years after the area was declared the Halton Lea NHS Healthy New Town.