THE borough's health and social care system has been recognised in a new league table.

It has been ranked in the top five in the country out of 150 health and wellbeing boards in a chart collated by the Department for Health and Social Care.

The NHS data examines the performance across emergency admissions levels for over 65, the percentage of people who receive rehabilitation and delayed days in hospital.

The Healthier Wigan partnership integrates services with staff working more closely to improve care and to avoid it to be duplicated from different organisations.

Wigan Council's The Deal for Health and Wellness has been set up to provide a commitment across all organisations to make sure there is a personalised approach to health and wellbeing.

Chief executive of the local authority Donna Hall was appointed accountable officer at Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group earlier this year,

A single commissioning function was also established which means meaning one board is responsible for commissioning all health and social care services.

Cllr Keith Cunliffe, cabinet member for adult social care and health at the council, said: “We know the long term health and wellbeing of residents will only be improved if organisations and individuals work together.

"We’re already seeing positive results from joined up integrated working between adult social care, community nursing and GP’s across the borough.

"Working together under the same roof is bringing real benefits to us all.

“We are making great strides forward in integration and all remain committed to improving the health of local people.”

Dr Tim Dalton, GP and chair of NHS Wigan Borough CCG, added: “Bringing together health and social care commissioning is a tremendous leap forward helping us to take the local NHS in to the 21st century.

“It now means that the CCG and the council can design local services that support you as residents to live happier, healthier lives.

While we reform ourselves and embrace the next 70 years of the NHS, I ask that you too support your local NHS by making sure you look after your own wellbeing and continue to use services responsibly.”