STAFF at Leigh Infirmary have been praised for taking in patients during the refurbishment of two medical theatres at Wigan Infirmary.

The Mayor of Wigan, Cllr Ron Conway and MP Lisa Nandy assisted with the reopening of the newly re-furbished laparoscopic, theatres three and four.

In keeping with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh(WWL) NHS Foundation Trust's commitment to improve, it was decided last year that the theatres would undergo a complete renovation, which included new ventilation, updated equipment and the creation of a new high-tech minimal invasive laparoscopic suite.

To enable the construction works to go ahead unhindered, staff at Leigh Infirmary accommodated transferred patients on overnight stays.

Joint acting medical director Jawad Hussain explains: "Staff went above and beyond to ensure that while the theatres were under construction, there was very little disruption to patient care.

"The project was further supported by staff on our Leigh site who accommodated patients on overnight stays to ensure continuity of care and service provision."

Andrew Foster, the trust's chief executive: “This refurbishment was a great feat by our facility and theatre staff that took some time and caused some minor headaches but in the end just gave us further evidence of how cooperative and resourceful our staff are in ensuring that patient flow and quality of care is our top priority.”

From left to right: WWL chairman Robert Armstrong, WWL chief executive Andrew Foster, Mayor and Mayoress of Wigan, Cllr Ron Conway and Janet Conway, Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, estates officer Tony Rigby, theatre Gill Hart, and matron Patricia Jooste.