NORTHWICH’S infirmary has been officially chosen as the site for a health super centre.

Plans to bring three doctors’ surgeries and the Victoria infirmary, Northwich (VIN) together were revealed in January this year but a location for the centre remained unknown.

Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust (CECPCT) announced VIN as the preferred site on Monday.

NHS planners have been discussing the need for better services at the Victoria infirmary, Northwich, since 2006 and their plans have included new buildings to house intermediate care in-patient beds, as well as new and bigger buildings for doctors’ surgeries at Danebridge, Witton Street and Middlewich Road.

The announcement of the preferred site will allow more planning to take place and a detailed public consultation is expected in the New Year.

Sue Noyce, project leader from the PCT, said: “It has been important that all possible sites were looked at, so that the preferred one can be put to the people of the town in a thorough consultation programme.

“The details, yet to be worked out, will be presented to the people of Northwich and patients of the three practices in the New Year, with clear opportunities for opinions to be aired.

“So far, it is expected that the intermediate bed unit will be placed on the ground floor of the new building with the GP practices on upper floors.”

The proposals are supported by the project steering group led by local GPs and a working group from Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which looks after the infirmary.