THE future of Victoria Infirmary looks to have been secured thanks to a multi-million-pound plan to create a new health hub there.

The proposed £14.1m Cheshire Elective Hub at Victoria Infirmary Northwich (VIN) will have a range of state-of-the-art clinical areas to support patient care, including two operating theatres, recovery area and consulting rooms.

Mid Cheshire Hospital Trust said the plans will ensure the long-term sustainability of services provided there and said  it would work with health partners from across Cheshire to provide care for a range of patients.

The future of the Infirmary had come under scrutiny after plans were announced to move health services to Weaver Square,  but those plans were later scrapped. 

Health chiefs said the ‘historical significance and the listed building status’ of Victoria Infirmary will now be ‘enhanced and preserved’.

Ian Moston, chief executive at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been allocated the funding to enable us to progress the plans for a Cheshire Elective Hub at Victoria Infirmary Northwich.

"We know how important the VIN is to our local communities and we will ensure that we keep people updated and informed about the progress as well as identifying opportunities to share thoughts and feedback.”

Across the UK pre-planned, non-emergency procedures have been impacted by Covid-19, creating a backlog of patients waiting for treatment. The development of the hub is part of wider NHS plans to ensure elective surgery is not affected by hospital A&E pressures.

Karen Bowman, general manager of the VIN added “The creation of the Cheshire Elective Hub will have a huge impact on patient experience and will enable us to treat patients across the Cheshire community.”

“The new hub, along with the recent investment and creation of our Community Diagnostic Centre at the VIN supports our ambition of bringing crucial health services closer to home”

Winnington and Castle Cllr Kate Cernik, added: “It is very welcome news for the people of Northwich and the surrounding area who will be able to have day case surgery closer to home.

“The development also assures the future of the Victoria Infirmary. This development has been the result of a great deal of hard work by NHS leaders, CWAC and local councillors and  Mike Amesbury MP."