BORIS Johnson posed for selfies with staff on a visit to Warrington Hospital as he confirmed cash for a new hospital in the town is being considered.

The Prime Minister made his way to the site today, Thursday, to formally open the new MRI centre and inspect progress on the major £6.3 million expansion of the emergency department, which is on track for completion in mid-June.

He was joined by Warrington South Tory MP Andy Carter.

The visit comes amid hopes that Warrington will secure funding for a new hospital.

 

 

Asked whether the town will be getting the cash required, Mr Johnson said: “I want to congratulate Andy Carter very much on what he’s done to secure the new scanner that we’ve just seen, helped to move things forward, Andy’s been lobbying hard.

“I can’t make any promises, we’ve got to look at all the cases that are being made, but Warrington is going places and it’s a fantastic place to invest in.”

Mr Johnson stated the funding for a new hospital is definitely being considered, but added that he ‘can’t make any comment’ about the ongoing process.

Warrington Guardian:

PM Boris Johnson at the hospital

Mr Carter emphasised he will not ‘stop asking’, with Mr Johnson saying the Government will ‘see what we can do’.

Mr Johnson greeted hospital staff and posed for selfies on the visit.

The Conservative politician also highlighted the £22 million funding for Warrington through the Towns Fund.

Labour-run Warrington Borough Council has said ‘we are prepared to do all we can’ to help people fleeing their homes in Ukraine following the invasion by Russia.

The Prime Minister was asked when people in the town can expect to begin taking in Ukrainians.

He said: “I know that people of Warrington have got very, very generous hearts and are going to want to be looking after people, so what we’re going to do is from Monday we’ll be setting out a scheme whereby you can help Ukrainians who are fleeing the warzone.”

Mr Johnson said the Government will make sure the ‘checks are as light touch as possible’

Furthermore, asked whether he can rule out British forces being on the ground in Ukraine in the next 12 months, he said: “I think that’s not on the agenda for any western country.”

The Prime Minister was also asked whether he has received a response from the Met Police over whether he will be fined following the force’s investigation into alleged parties in Downing Street.

He said: “All that will become clear in the fullness of time.”

Mr Carter said he was ‘delighted’ that the Prime Minister made the visit.

Warrington Guardian:

Professor Simon Constable, MP Andy Carter and the council's director of growth Steve Park

He added: “Last week I stood up and asked him to back my bid for a new hospital and a couple of days later he’s here in Warrington seeing the scale of the challenge that we have here in Warrington.

“We’re very lucky we’re opening a new centre today for scanning and the team there are doing a wonderful job of reducing backlogs.

“But what we really need is a new hospital – that’s £300 million and I hope by the fact he’s coming here today it’s positive news, as we go through the process of bidding for it.”

The trust has recently completed a new MRI centre and a refurbished CT scanning suite accompanied by two new scanners, thanks to successful bids for national funding.

A total of £5.5 million investment in radiology services has enabled the delivery of more and better diagnostic services for patients and increased research and teaching capabilities.

Diagnostic waiting times for MRI imaging, are now back well within the six-week standard, despite the large backlog of patients arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The town of Warrington has simply outgrown its hospital, its aging buildings and facilities,” said Professor Simon Constable, chief executive of the trust.

“This is evident in the pressures our emergency department experiences every day.

“In a space designed to cope with 150 patients a day we are regularly treating 300. Patient safety and treatment quality remains paramount and our team is to be commended for maintaining high standards despite the restrictions of the estate.

“This investment in our estate will support the hospital to maintain services until such time as we are able to secure a new hospital for Warrington, as well as redevelop and enhance our Halton site in a way that is complementary.

“We have submitted a proposal to secure one of the last remaining eight places in HM Government’s national new hospitals programme which will provide grant funding totalling £3.7 billion.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Prime Minister for his flying visit today to view some of the outcomes of national funding and our own capital programme.”