New figures reveal how many patients faced long waits for beds at Wigan Infirmary last month

NHS England has published data showing how Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) performed in January.

It reveals that 1,107 people waited more than four hours for a bed in January, after the decision to admit was made, while 567 patients faced waits of 12 hours of more.

That was up from 1,001 four-hour waits and 453 four-hour waits in December, but was an improvement on the 1,732 patients who waited for four hours and 569 who waited for 12 hours in January last year.

It follows work by staff to free up beds, such as encouraging families to help their loved ones go home when they are medically ready, as well as supporting people at home to prevent admission.

Nationally, the number of people waiting more than 12 hours in A&Es for a bed rose sharply, from 50,775 in December to 71,517 in January, which was the highest since monthly records began in August 2010.

The number waiting at least four hours stood at 161,141 last month, up from 137,763 in December and the second highest figure on record.

WWL had 12,249 A&E attendances last month – 7,503 at Wigan Infirmary’s A&E and 4,746 at Leigh Urgent Treatment Centre.

That was down from 12,443 attendances in December but up from 11,740 in January 2025.

A&Es nationally experienced a record high January of 2,320,266 attendances – 4.6 per cent higher than in January 2025.

Across WWL, 65.7 per cent of patients were admitted, transferred or discharged within the target time of four hours, down from 66.8 per cent in December but up from 65.3 per cent last January.

At just A&E, 45.2 per cent were seen in that time, down from 49.7 per cent in January but an improvement on 43.4 per cent in January 2025.

The urgent treatment centre saw 97.9 per cent of people in four hours, down from 98.4 per cent the month before and 98.5 per cent in January last year.

Some 72.5 per cent of patients in England were dealt with within four hours, against a March 2026 target of 78 per cent.

Sarah Brennan, WWL’s chief operating officer, said: “The emergency department at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary faces year-on-year increases in demand and the start of 2026 was no exception, with attendances in January reflecting the seasonal variation we expect at this time of year. We also continue to experience significant pressures within our emergency department.

“We are dedicated to responding to the demands on our services, through increased nursing staff levels and addressing the needs of our patients currently waiting in overcrowded departments. Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we apologise for the longer waiting times some of our patients might be facing.

“The public can also help us during times of increased pressure on our services. Please remember that our emergency department should only be used for life, limb and sight-threatening illnesses and injuries. If you need help in these situations, you must come forward. For conditions which are less urgent, please use NHS111 online or by phone, or consider visiting a local pharmacy, urgent treatment centre or GP practice for support.”