A NORTHWICH councillor has welcomed ambitious plans to transform Leighton Hospital.

Kate Cernik, who is herself a nurse, said the announcement by Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which also include a commitment for new facilities in the town were 'excellent' and 'much needed'.

The trust said it needs to change the way it provides care in future to meet the needs of a population which is getting larger, growing older, and has increasing needs.

Cllr Cernik said: "I believe it's very welcome news for residents in Northwich.

"It also fits in with the NHS plan in terms of bringing more and more services closer to home.

"I think most people who live in Northwich make use of Leighton and bringing the fabric of the building up to standard would be excellent."

She said that news work is continuing on plans to develop a new Victoria Infirmary was also vital to Northwich and it's ever growing population was 'extremely welcome'.

"We've got a growing population within Northwich and the surrounding areas, so bringing services closer to home is very dear to my heart, she said.

"This means people won't have to travel for diagnostic procedures so I think it's extremely welcome news and I'm very pleased.

"There was anxiety from people that we were going to lose facilities in Northwich but this looks like an opportunity to improve the quality and nature of the services we have.

"I think all the local councillors feel the same.

Cllr Cernik acknowledged the fact the current Victoria Infirmary building was close to the heart of many people within the town, but that it was likely a new facility elsewhere in the town would replace it.

She added: "Nothing is fixed yet, but the actual site of the Vic is not particular suitable for a number of reasons, so any new facility is much more likely to be part of a wider development to be located in the town centre.

"That would make it far more accessible for people to get to as it's a bit of a trudge up that hill.

"Conversations that I've had with local health service managers, they seem very keen to work with the local population to develop services."

The trust says it is working with a strategic partner to develop the proposal in more detail, with more detailed plans expected next February.