Press Releases
Widnes 'to gain 300 hospital jobs'

14 December 2006

A new mental health hospital in Widnes will create 300 new jobs, an exclusive report has revealed.

The Priory Group has told the Widnes and Runcorn World it will build a private, medium security hospital near Fiddlers Ferry.

Councillor Tom McInerney said: "The Priory is world-renowned and will bring a lot of jobs in."

In response to residents' fears that the centre would become a drugs rehabilitation unit, the group assured that it would pose no risk to the public and has agreed to meet those who are concerned in the new year.

Lindsay Johnston, Priory Group corporate communications executive, said: "We will be treating patients who have enduring mental illnesses and are always going to be unwell some may have depression or breakdowns."

The Priory, which runs 51 hospitals and schools, will open the new clinic in August, employing psychiatrists, therapists, health care, assistants, housekeepers, chefs and groundsmen.

Meanwhile, the Widnes Weekly News reported last month that a major investment in the town's Windmill centre will provide an estimated 500 retail jobs.