FIGURES in the town are pushing for a new hospital in Warrington – with the town’s two MPs saying it is a ‘clear priority’ for them.

As reported in May 2023, Warrington and Runcorn missed out on getting new hospitals as a bid for funding was snubbed by the Government again.

At the time, Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it was disappointed to learn that it had not been included in the latest funding round of the Government’s New Hospitals Programme.

This vital investment would have presented Warrington and Halton with a unique opportunity to address significant challenges within the current hospital estate. The investment would have allowed the trust to build a new £300 million acute hospital in Warrington and a redeveloped hospital and wellbeing campus in Halton, both built to modern specifications and fully equipped with the latest technology and treatments.

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says it is ‘continuing to develop plans for estates developments’ in line with the previous bid submitted to HM Treasury and the Department of Health and Social Care.

Lucy Gardner, director of strategy and partnerships at the trust, said: “Last year we were disappointed to learn that Warrington and Halton had not been included in the latest funding round of the Government’s New Hospitals Programme.

“As demonstrated in our previous submission, we know there is an urgent need for investment due to the age and condition of our hospital estate and to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

“There remains a strong case for a new hospital. We are therefore committed to working alongside key partners to change and adapt how we deliver care and to review any options to secure appropriate funding to support new hospital estate and infrastructure.”

Warrington South MP Sarah Hall and Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols have issued a joint statement.

The Labour politicians said: “We have already discussed the matter with the chief secretary to the Treasury and are requesting a meeting with Wes Streeting to impress on him the urgency and need for the new hospital that Warrington so desperately needs.

“This is a clear priority for us as Warrington MPs and we will be working with the hospital trust, the council and other stakeholders to ensure that we find a way to finally deliver for real on what were the Tories’ unfunded promises.”

Council leader Cllr Hans Mundry, Labour, says a new hospital is ‘definitely needed’.

“We would be supportive of any bids for that and in looking for the appropriate place for a new hospital to go in Warrington,” he said.

What the Government said

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson says the previous Government’s commitment to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 is ‘undeliverable and unaffordable’.

“The funding allocated by the previous Government runs out in March,” they added.

“We must reset the New Hospital Programme to put it on a sustainable footing, following persistent delays and cost overruns.

“We are therefore launching a full review of the programme to provide a thorough, costed and realistic timeline for delivery and to ensure we can replace the crumbling hospital estate in England.

“This Government is determined to be honest with people about what can be delivered, and not let them down again.”