'Save our wards' call is growing (From Warrington Guardian)

'Save our wards' call is growing

OPPOSITION to plans by the NHS to close the inpatients wards at Northwich Victoria Infirmary (VIN) has gathered pace.

In just six hours a stand organised by the protest group SONIC collected more than 1,600 signatures in Northwich town centre on May 26.

The petition new has more than 9,000 signatures.

Liam Byrne, member of the organising committee of SONIC, said: "Speaking to hundreds of people several messages came through.

"First was the appreciation expressed, without exception, by former patients and their relatives for the care they had received at the Victoria.

"Many said that if they or their dear ones become ill they expect reliable and loving care in their own local community."

He added: "One elderly petitioner likened the situation to Soviet Russia where orders came down from the Kremlin and were relentlessly implemented by unelected officials irrespective of local feelings."