A&E car park restrictions

It is one of the precautions being taken by Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust in the event of another major incident, following the fatal bomb attack on the Manchester Arena.

A trust spokeswoman said; “The reason we have closed the drop-off car park in front of A&E is because of preparedness due to the heightened security level.

“We are part of the network of Greater Manchester receiving hospitals in the event of a major incident and this will give ease of access to the ambulance service and healthcare workers.”

Wigan Infirmary was put on standby in the hours after last Monday week’s attack at the Manchester Arena, with chiefs receiving reports that 15 ambulances were on their way.

In the end though, most of the casualties were taken to eight other hospitals in the North West.

Local medical staff offered their services where required and one victim with minor injuries was brought by car to the infirmary for treatment and later discharged.

Latest reports from NHS England show that 116 people in all required hospital treatment after the bombing in which 22 people died.

Of those, 54 remain in hospital and 19 of them are still receiving critical care at Manchester Royal, the city’s children’s hospital, Salford Royal and Wythenshaw Hospital.

Meanwhile, support from artists, footballers and the public has continued to bolster the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, which has reached £5.65m in just five days.

Thousands of runners were also taking part yesterday in the Great Manchester Run, including Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, in aid of the fund-raising campaign which is being led by Manchester City Council in partnership with the British Red Cross.