AN NHS site which treats more than 100,000 patients every year is celebrating its 20th year in operation today.

On Friday, May 20, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals staff marked the occasion after the Thomas Lincare Centre hit the milestone anniversary.

Costing just over £7m at the time, the Thomas Linacre Centre opened on Parson's Walk, Wigan, to patients across the borough on May, 20, 2002.

The renovation of the former Wigan Grammar School was the first acute Trust to move acute outpatients off-site from the main Wigan Infirmary location.

The centre is now home to 12 different areas of care, including antenatal, breast screening, paediatrics, audiology, ear, nose and throat (ENT), medical photography and diagnostics such as cardiology, phlebotomy and radiology.

Leading 96 consultant-led clinics per week, the centre treats over 100,000 patients from across the borough every year.

After the difficulties of the pandemic, more than 31,800 patient appointments have been held either face-to-face, over the telephone or via video conferencing this year.

Around 2,680 blood tests have also been carried out every week.

During the week of celebrations, members from the local NHS Trust's Executive Board visited the various departments and areas at the Thomas Linacre Centre - which was rated ‘Outstanding’ in its latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

On his visit, CEO, Silas Nicholls said: “What our staff do at the Thomas Linacre Centre is really special and we’re really proud of everybody here.

"There is a real sense of pride and a welcoming nature that really stands out and that is thanks to our fantastic staff. We receive such great feedback from the patients who attend the centre and I would like to congratulate everybody on a wonderful 20 years.”

Helen Flowers, Sister in charge of the Thomas Linacre Centre, added: “I’ve been here since the very beginning and we’re very much a family at the TLC.

"It has been an amazing 20 years and we’re just going to keep going from strength to strength.”