An ambitious plans have been submitted to carry out a significant upgrade to Wrightington Hospital
An urgent planning application has been forwarded by Wigan health chiefs to create a new diagnostics hub at a local hospital
The blueprint for a major upgrade to part of a Wigan hospital trust site has been submitted to council planners.
After securing millions of pounds in funding, Writghtington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) has applied to West Lancashire Borough Council for permission to demolish its old X-ray department at Wrightington Hospital and build a new diagnostics hub.
Health chiefs that in the future, if the scheme is approved, they would like to add CT and MRI scanners to the new unit.
The application emphasises the urgent need for the new facility and points out that it would be a modular building which is far quicker to erect than something made from bricks and mortar and also means there will be less disruption on the site.
WWL deputy chief executive Richard Mundon said: “Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust submitted a planning application for a new diagnostics centre at Wrightington Hospital, replacing its ageing X-ray accommodation with four modern X-ray rooms.
“The trust has secured £6.4m of funding from the National Department of Health and Social Care and is considering further investment to enable CT and MRI facilities to be added in future.
“Subject to the necessary approvals, the centre is expected to be completed in summer 2027."
The application reads: “ Wrightington Hospital’s status is as a ‘Centre of Excellence for Orthopaedic Surgery’ in the treatment of musculoskeletal disease.
“The hospital strives to maintain its reputation as a leader in its field in practice and also in research.
“To deliver the best service it can, it is critical the hospital and its employees are equipped with appropriate and highquality facilities for its population’s needs, and thus this is the basis of the new build Diagnostic Hub building planning application submission.
“ The basis of the planning application is to provide for diagnostic facilities and increase efficiently by reducing waiting times, along with providing for superior, state of the art facilities and a world class environment for staff and visitors.
“This building will therefore be a signifcant asset, made possible through funding to address increasing numbers of patients on elective orthopaedic waiting lists, many of which will be day cases. “