Wigan Infirmary accident and emergency department is undergoing upgrade

Changes are being made to Wigan Infirmary’s busy accident and emergency department in a bid to provide a better environment for patients.

Building work is under way to improve the entrance used by patients and create a larger reception, new triage cubicles and an assessment area.

Temporary arrangements have been put in place in order to minimise disruption at casualty while the work is carried out.

David Evans, WWL director of estates and facilities, said: “Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to confirm that building work has recently started at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary A&E department.

“These essential improvements include: a new entrance for patients, larger reception offering improved privacy, new larger triage cubicles and a three-bay ISAT (initial senior assessment triage) assessment area.

“We currently have a number of temporary arrangements in place to allow the works to continue without impacting on the services for our patients.

“The changes being made will provide an enhanced triage and initial assessment experience with a better environment for all of our patients attending A&E.

“They will also assist the trust in its work with the North West Ambulance Service to respond in a timely way to all emergency 999 calls.

“The trust is looking forward to these positive changes; however, we would like to apologise for any inconvenience during the work.

“WWL would also like to thank our patients and staff for their patience over the coming weeks whilst these improvements are made.”

The changes to the A&E department were pitched by staff during a Dragons’ Den-inspired initiative held by the hospital trust last year.

With a healthy financial performance and joint-working with other organisations, bosses decided to reinvest and create an innovation pot.

Also among the 20 successful ideas were the setting up of a new community birth facility; allowing more patients with eye-related conditions to be seen in other health sites within the borough; and an expansion of the day case hip replacement programme at Wrightington Hospital.