Wigan Infirmary's A&E department declares critical incident

On Wednesday, February 1, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust announced the escalation due to serious pressures facing the hospital and emergency department.

Facing "exceptionally high levels of occupancy, growing pressure on our services, and unprecedented attendances", the NHS Trust is asking patients to only come to A&E if they have "life [or] limb-threatening conditions and injuries." 

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With delays in discharging patients also having an impact on the number of hospital beds available, local health bosses hope the dramatic move will help tackle the pressurse facing the hospital and ensure the safety of patients.

Health services such as Urgent Treatment Centre in Leigh, walk-in centres, pharmacies, and NHS 111 are suggested alternatives for patients that don't have such serious injuries.

Patients are asked to use services like Leigh's Urgent Treatment Centre for non life threatening injuries (Image: Google Maps)

Exceptionally high levels of hosptial bed occupancy 

An NHS spokesperson said: "Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is currently facing exceptionally high levels of occupancy, growing pressure on our services, and unprecedented attendances at our Emergency Department (A&E) at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan.

"We are also seeing ongoing challenges in discharging our patients who are well enough to leave hospital, which has a direct impact on the number of beds available for patients who are in desperate need of medical attention.

"As a result of this ongoing pressure, the Trust has escalated its position to a critical incident, which means WWL can take additional action to maintain safe services for our patients and tackle this increasing pressure.

"The safety of our patients and our staff is always our top priority and we are working through who needs our help as quickly and as safely as we can.

"We must prioritise treatment for patients with life and limb-threatening conditions and injuries."

WWL is asking members of the public to help by:

Collecting family and friends from hospital as soon as they are ready to be discharged, to free up beds for those who need them.

Visit NHS 111 online for health advice, or alternatively contact your local pharmacist or GP.

Think about the most appropriate NHS service for your needs and to only call 999 in the event of a life-threatening illness or injury.

Stay away from our hospitals if you have symptoms of or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, unless it is an emergency.