Teen patient sparks missing person probe at Wigan Infirmary

Patients at A&E are being warned not to leave the hospital without informing staff after police were deployed to search for a missing teen.
Wigan InfirmaryWigan Infirmary
Wigan Infirmary

Shortly before 7pm on Sunday, officers were called to reports of a missing patient at Wigan Infirmary.

Two police vans and two cars were deployed and police searched the area for around two hours before finding the youngster and returning them to the department at around 9pm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Staff at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust have urged people to inform medical staff if they have registered at A&E but decide not to take treatment, to save wasting the time of hospital staff and emergency services personnel. According to a spokesperson, this has happened on more than one occasion and people have been asked previously to take the appeal on board.

The trust representative said: “Any patients who attend our A&E Department, who no longer wish to wait to see a clinician, are asked to inform a member of staff before leaving the department.

“In the instance of a patient leaving without informing staff, the patient’s case is reviewed and risk assessed. A missing person’s report would then be made for any patient that may be deemed to be high risk, as per our Trust policy, which would then be reported to police.

“While we cannot comment on any individual patients, those attending A&E are reminded that, should they wish to leave the A&E Department at any time, they should inform a member of staff.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Wigan Police complained last month that they were having to spend a lot of time looking for missing patients and sometimes, if there was concern for their welfare, officers would end up breaking down their doors to be sure they are all right.