§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which organisations and individuals have so far been consulted by North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust on their plans for future service provision;[133021]
(2) when North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust intends to publish its plan for the re-organisation of services; and what the timetable is for consultation on these proposals. [133023]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 21 October 2003]The chief executives of North Cheshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust and Warrington and Halton primary care trusts are working together to 633W build on recent discussions with general practitioners and hospital clinicians from Halton and Warrington concerning developments to surgical services.
The trust plans to discuss the views of its clinicians and those within primary care at its next board meeting on 6 November 2003. Following the trust board discussion, the Overview and Scrutiny Committees of Warrington and Halton will need to take a view on whether formal consultation is required. The North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust is not planning to undertake a major re-organisation of its services.
§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he will take to ensure that people living in areas of health deprivation in North Warrington are consulted about future service provision at North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust;[133022]
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the needs of people living in the most deprived areas of Warrington North are met by any future re-organisation of services at North Cheshire Hospitals. [133024]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 21 October 2003]Warrington Primary Care Trust (PCT) will continue to be closely involved in the development of acute services in North Cheshire. In conjunction with North Cheshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust, Warrington PCT will engage with Warrington Borough Council and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to ensure appropriate consultation with Warrington residents in relation to developments in health care.
If plans require formal consultation, Warrington PCT will ensure that local people have a range of opportunities to give their views and every effort will be made to ensure equity issues are addressed.
There is a programme of activity in Warrington to address deprived areas. Warrington Health and Well Being Partnership, which is led by Warrington PCT, are in the process of compiling the Health Improvement Plan. Deprivation in Warrington Central is the key priority of this plan. There is a programme of activity in Warrington to address deprived areas. Warrington Health and Well Being Partnership, which is led by Warrington PCT, are in the process of compiling the Health Improvement Plan. Deprivation in Warrington Central is the key priority of this plan.