Meetings set to discuss ward closure

Last week the GUARDIAN revealed that Ward B17, which treats medical and elderly patients, had been closed because there wasn't enough money to pay for nurses.

A £30,000 overspend on nursing staff costs means the 28-bed ward is shut for the whole of July, will open again in August and then is set to close for all of September.

A Warrington Hospital NHS Trust spokesman claimed a high level of staff sickness and maternity leave had led to the closure.

The town's Community Health Council - a patients' watchdog - has written to North Cheshire Health Authority following the ward's closure.

Paul Harrison, chairman of the CHC said: "Clearly it's not in the interests of patients if a ward is closed in this way.

"We have asked North Cheshire Health if they will intervene to help the Trust with its financial position."

Nurses have met with Royal College of Nursing staff to discuss the closure and talks are ongoing between the town's two MPs, union bosses and the Trust's management.

Bob Bate, branch secretary of UNISON, confirmed that Warrington South MP, Helen Southworth, is to meet union officers on Monday.

He added: "We have not spoken to the staff yet as we intend to speak to both MPs first about the situation.

"One of our full time officers has already met Warrington North MP Helen Jones and now he is to meet Helen Southworth."

And Warrington's two MPs are to meet Norman Banner, the Trust's chairman, and chief executive Rosemary Knights to discuss the ward closure.

Helen Southworth said: "At the moment we are at a preliminary stage in discussions.

"First of all we want to find out why the ward has had to close and we're seeking assurances that the hospital services for Warrington people will be delivered.

"We want to ensure that the public service people expect from the town's hospital can be delivered effectively."

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