A bad sign for VIN (From Northwich Guardian)

A bad sign for VIN

10:00am Friday 7th September 2012 in News By Gina Bebbington

PATIENTS are getting lost on their way to Northwich’s infirmary because of bad signage and a confusing road layout, according to a concerned councillor.

Clr Brian Jamieson, from Northwich Town Council, said the Victoria Infirmary Northwich (VIN), in Winnington Hill, is proving impossible to find for patients that may be visiting from out of town.

“What people are saying is that when they get to VIN they’ve missed their appointments because they couldn’t find the hospital,” he said.

“People in Northwich know where it is but people attending clinics could be coming from all over everywhere.

“It’s difficult to pick up the signs from the fringe of town to where it is.

“I think there’s one at Hayhurst Bridge, one at Winnington Hill and I’m told there’s one at Iron Bridge, but they’re very limited.

“The issue is made worse because of Northwich’s gyratory.

“People can spend two hours trying to find it and then go home, missing their appointment.”

He added: “In Chester you see signs for the Countess of Chester Hospital all over the place but in Northwich you’ve not got a clue.”

Clr Jamieson was speaking out at the latest Northwich Town Council meeting.

Councillors decided they would write to both Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which looks after VIN, and Cheshire West and Chester’s highways department to see what can be done to improve the situation.

• Have you got lost on your way to VIN or do you know anyone that has? What do you think of road signs in the town centre generally? Email yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk.