For the second week in a row Warrington South MP Andy Carter has been making the case for more investment for Warrington at Prime Ministers Questions.
In his question to Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the Conservative MP asked the Government to back the bid for a new purpose-built General Hospital in Warrington. Mr Carter emphasised that Warrington hospital serves some of the most deprived wards in England where life expectancy is, in parts, almost 12 years lower than the national average.
Warrington & Halton NHS Trust has submitted a bid to the Government for a new hospital in a town centre location and a decision is due to be made in the coming months. Currently, the national programme comprises 40 pre-existing schemes with a further 8 yet to be confirmed new hospitals, totalling 48 new hospitals across the country.
Speaking in Parliament during Prime Ministers Questions, MP Andy Carter said:
The nurses and doctors working at Warrington hospital in my constituency provide selfless care for families living in some of the most deprived areas of England where life expectancy is 12 years lower than that of the national average.
At the same time, population has expanded with thousands of new homes being built in Warrington putting pressure on services, particularly at the general hospital. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that tackling health inequalities is key to levelling-up, and will he support my campaign for a new hospital in Warrington?
The Prime Minister went on to say:
I know that this Government is building a record number of hospitals the total of 48 that we are building across the country. I am forbidden from pre-empting the application process, that I know his wonderful hospital is going through, but I wish him every success.
Commenting further on the hospital bid, Mr Carter said:
I made a promise when I was elected to campaign to secure a new hospital for the people of Warrington. Whilst our doctors and nurses are doing a brilliant job, they are facing challenges with space and equipment. Warrington submitted a bid in October for £300million funding for a new General Hospital, we know it has been selected as the number one choice for Merseyside and Cheshire region, I want the Government to understand that providing the right facilities will improve services and outcome for local families.
This isn’t just about building a new hospital, this is about regenerating the town, with the hospital at the centre, better public transport, affordable homes and importantly, levelling up health inequalities that we see across Warrington and the wider region. The bid has cross party support, raising it today is about making sure Warrington is at the top of the list when the Minister signs off future plans.
