Proposed changes to local Emergency Care sparks debate

THE Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust are holding an opened a public consultation on a major restructuring of emergency and urgent care services. The "Shaping Care Together" program aims to consolidate adult and children's A&E services, which are currently split between both:- Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals, onto a single site to address ongoing issues with:- staffing, patient flow, and outdated facilities.

On Tuesday, 26 August 2025, we popped along to hear some of the many questions being asked at a Public Consultation Event, at  Formby Methodist Church Elbow Lane. Also attending where representatives of local political parties, along with BBC News.

The consultation presents 2 primary options for a new, single A&E department:- 1 at Southport Hospital, or 1 at Ormskirk Hospital, the former is emerging as partners are currently seeing it as the "preferred" choice. It would relocate the Children's A&E from Ormskirk to Southport to create a new, single Emergency Department.

Arguments for and against the proposed change are already sparking heated debates, and reminds people of the same debate that happened when Southport Hospital's Children's A&E Service where removed in 2003. Since that time, children requiring emergency care have had to go to Ormskirk Hospital, where the Children's and Adult A&E Services were split between the 2 sites. The current proposals to centralize these services on a single site would effectively return a Children's A&E to Southport.

The biggest issues raised since the closure of Southport's Children's A&E has been the massive issues around getting into and out of Ormskirk Hospital from:- Southport, Formby and Hightown. This transport issue was highlighted before the removal of the Southport Hospital's Children's A&E Service and has since been shown to have been a very valid concern. Especially with the growing traffic congestion issues we are seeing on the roads within the Sefton area, due to lack of proper transport network links to Ormskirk from that area. Those in Ormskirk and Maghull are now saying that this issue would be reversed, if they close Ormskirk Children's A&E, but currently, the Children's A&E at Ormskirk is closed overnight, with patients directed to Alder Hey during those hours. For those going from Southport, this means an even longer trip. However, the "Shaping Care Together" proposal says that the new local A&E service would not replace Alder Hey but would work in partnership with it, as is already the case for trauma and specialist services. For example, Alder Hey's orthopaedics and trauma services hold regular outreach clinics at Southport and Ormskirk hospitals. The local A&E would serve as the first point of care for most children, with only the most serious cases being transferred to specialist centres like Alder Hey. From are not a purely geographical standpoint, Alder Hey Children's Hospital is closer to Maghull and Ormskirk than Southport Hospital, so the Southport Option would help with travel times and the types of care provided, along with improving potential outcomes.

Trust has presented the following arguments regarding the preferred option to co-locate services at Southport Hospital:-

Main Pros:-

• Cost and Speed: This option is notably less expensive and could be completed up to two years faster than the alternative proposal. It requires less extensive construction and redevelopment.
  

• Operational Efficiency: Unifying services on a single site would enhance patient care by ensuring round-the-clock emergency services for both adults and children, as well as providing better access to supporting services like radiology.
  

• Workforce: The move would help to alleviate ongoing staff shortages and reduce the Trust's reliance on costly temporary staff, potentially saving an estimated £1.5 million annually.

Main Cons:-

• Accessibility: Critics, including:- the West Lancashire Borough Council, argue that this plan would significantly increase travel distance for many residents in the Ormskirk area, leaving them approximately 13 miles away from emergency care. This is a major concern for those dependent on public transport.
  

• Service Relocation: The proposal necessitates relocating other services, such as paediatric inpatient care, from Ormskirk to Southport, which could cause temporary disruption to patient care.

Based on official consultation documents available on the:- YourSayShapingCareTogether.Co.UK website.

You can also visit in person the following public consultation events:-

Banks	Q&A	Tuesday, 2 September	1pm to 2.30pm	Register
Skelmersdale	Q&A	Tuesday, 2 September	5.30pm to 7pm	Register
Maghull (Central Square)	Road Show	Saturday, 6 September	From 10am	Drop in session
Tarleton	Q&A	Tuesday, 16 September	5.30pm to 7pm	Register
Ormskirk (Aughton)	Q&A	Tuesday, 23 September	5.30pm to 7pm	Register
Southport	Q&A	Tuesday, 30 September	5.30pm to 7pm	Register

You can have your say online at:- online until:- 3 October2025.

Please click here to download the FILL Public Consultation document.

We are also keen to hare your thoughts on this very heated topic. Please by email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com, alternatively please send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter as we would be very interested to hear them.

Formby’s Coastal Crisis: Traffic Chaos and Environmental Threats Return with Summer Crowds

AS the temperatures soared over the Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August 2025, Formby, on the Merseyside Coastline, once again faced a familiar problem:- gridlocked roads, illegal parking, and environmental strain. The National Trust Formby site, renowned for its sweeping pinewoods and rare sand dune habitats, has become a seasonal flashpoint for overcrowding and disruption.

Since the COVID-19 lockdowns, the area has seen a dramatic rise in visitor numbers each summer. While tourism brings economic benefits, it also poses serious risks to Formby’s fragile ecosystem; home to endangered species such as:- Natterjack Toads, Sand Lizards, Red Squirrels, and internationally important wading birds.

Local residents understand why people want to go to the beach and are happy that people come, as long as they respect the area they are visiting.

Despite efforts by the National Trust and local authorities, the influx of vehicles regularly overwhelms infrastructure. As you can see, on the Bank Holiday Monday, National Trust staff, security, Traffic Wardens and Police Officers all struggled to manage the flow, with many roads descending into complete gridlock. Residents voiced frustration over dangerous and inconsiderate parking, which obstructed junctions, pavements, and driveways creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians and drivers alike.

Shockingly, many drivers may not realise that such parking behaviour can constitute both civil and criminal offences. Worse still was the driving and behaviour of some of the motorists, as you will see.

Under Rule 243 of the Highway Code, motorists are advised not to park:-

• Opposite or within 10 metres of a junction.
  

• On a bend or brow of a hill.
  

• Where they obstruct access for emergency services.
  

• On pavements or dropped kerbs.

In addition, the Road Traffic Act 1988 outlines several offences related to dangerous or obstructive parking:-

• Section 22: Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position.
  

• Section 19A: Parking on verges, central reservations, or footways.
  

• Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980: Wilful obstruction of the highway.

Our footage and photos from the Bank Holiday shows vehicles parked on blind bends and junctions, forcing pedestrians including:- children to navigate dangerously close to moving traffic. In some cases, parked cars caused damage to other vehicles and near-misses that could have ended in tragedy.

Authorities are also warning motorists that if a vehicle blocks emergency services or causes an accident, the owner may face:- fines, vehicle removal, or even prosecution. In extreme cases, where obstruction leads to injury or death, drivers could be held criminally liable.

On top of this, after the issues over the last few years, local officials and conservationists are urging visitors to respect both the environment and the community. If heading to Formby, or any coastal destination please:-

• Park legally and considerately.
  

• Follow instructions from traffic officers and National Trust staff.
  

• Avoid walking on sensitive dune habitats.
  

• Take litter home or use designated bins.

Remember:- if your illegally parked vehicle is damaged, you may be held liable. And if emergency services are delayed due to your parking, you could be ticketed and billed for any resulting damage.

Formby’s natural beauty is worth protecting for wildlife, for residents, and for future generations. Let’s keep it safe, clean, and accessible for all.  These laws are enforced by local authorities and Police Forces throughout England and Wales.

Applicable Laws in England and Wales:-

Highway Code Rule 243 Advises against parking in dangerous or obstructive locations, such as near junctions, on bends, or where emergency access is blocked. For more information:- HighwayCode.Org.UK.

Road Traffic Act 1988 Covers offences like leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position (Section 22) and obstruction of the highway. For more information, please see:- Legislation.Gov.UK.

Highways Act 1980 - Section 137 Makes it an offence to wilfully obstruct the free passage along a highway. For more information please visit:- Legislation.Gov.UK.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have similar, but separate legal frameworks, so it’s always worth checking local guidance if you're travelling further a field..

What are your thoughts on this news topic? Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....