HEALTH chiefs are pressing ahead with plans to develop Altrincham General Hospital.

They have submitted outline proposals for Government funding to develop the hospital as a community health hub'.

The scheme also aims to upgrade Stretford Memorial Hospital along similar lines.

Under the blueprint, the hospitals would provide GP-led services, minor injuries and walk-in centre facilities, a clinical assessment and observation unit, diagnostic testing, phlebotomy services, treatment rooms and mental health service provision under one roof. This will enable healthcare to be more integrated and would be more convenient for patients and carers, say health bosses.

The initiative comes 10 months after the latest threat to close Altrincham General was lifted, with the publication of the Tinston Report. The authoritative, independent study recommended that the 136-year-old hospital remained open. But it called for new investment to provide modern and refurbished outpatient and minor injuries services.

Health professionals across Trafford have been working with colleagues at Trafford council to develop a business case to bid for some of the Department of Health's £750 million community hospital fund.

The bid was officially approved on Tuesday by Trafford Primary Care Trust and Trafford Healthcare Trust, and has now been sent to the North West Strategic Health Authority for its approval. A decision on whether the bid is successful or not is due in March 2007.

Leslie Robinson and Fay Selvan, who chair the two health trusts, said: "This is a great opportunity for the NHS across Trafford to work together to bring health services closer to residents' homes in a more integrated way, and to help improve the health of local people. There is some way to go before we can realise our plans for development at these two important sites but this is an encouraging start."

cgriffin@messengergrp.co.uk