"I feel our hospitals should stay local"

I live in Runcorn. We used to have a fully functioning and extremely well run and effective hospital. It is the most caring hospital I have ever experienced. It is highly regarded in the area.

My wife was treated there recently and I can vouch for the care and consideration she received. As good as any private hospital.

Then why do I feel it has it been emasculated? The government has decided that the PCT will have specialisms in various hospitals. In my opinion, this is a grave mistake.

My comment regarding effectiveness is related to the fact that anything regarding A&E, heart attack, broken bones...in fact most accidents happening commonly in life can only be attended to at Warrington. Heaven help the person who has a heart attack in Runcorn when the bridge is busy and the swing bridge "off" in Warrington.

It gets more silly when you consider the fact that there is a shuttle bus constantly running between Halton General and Warrington Hospital. Why?...Well to carry Warrington folk to clinics in Runcorn and Runcorn folk to clinics in Warrington! How silly is that?

Until fairly recently we had most services and clinics on our doorstep. Halton needs to be enabled to cater for the medical needs of Halton without the need for the population to travel...same for those in Warrington and their hospital.