NORTHWICH’S MP has written to hospital chiefs for reassurance that services run from Victoria Infirmary will be kept in town if they open new premises.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which owns and manages the site in Winnington Hill, has confirmed it could move some or all of its services out of the old infirmary if it can provide them in ‘better facilities in Northwich’.

Residents and councillors are already insisting hospital bosses will have a fight on their hands if they try to reduce the number of services that are currently offered at Victoria Infirmary in a potential move.

Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for Weaver Vale, has now written to the trust for reassurance over the future provision of healthcare in Northwich.

“I have requested an urgent meeting about this,” he said.

“I’m seeking reassurance that constituents in Northwich and the surrounding area will have a first class local NHS service.”

The heavily-mooted public services hub at Weaver Square could be a site that the trust looks to move to, after it announced the infirmary is suffering with subsidence and part of the site is no longer fit for purpose.

A public consultation will be run by the trust once it has any concrete plans to move services from Victoria Infirmary.

“Patient safety is our utmost priority and we intend to enhance the trust’s facilities in Northwich,” a spokesman at the trust said.

Cllr Sam Naylor, Labour member for Winnington and Castle on Cheshire West and Chester Council, said that while he has no problems with relocation from the old hospital, his ‘red line is there should be no dilution of the services Victoria Infirmary has’.