'This is a major milestone in our commitment to patient care'

Wigan Infirmary has a new £3.7m diagnostics area which should provide a host of benefits for patients.

A £3.7m state-of-the-art diagnostics area has been unveiled at Wigan Infirmary to reduce waiting times for patients.

MRI machine in the new A&E diagnostic area at Wigan Infirmary | WWL NHS FT

placeholder image — MRI machine in the new A&E diagnostic area at Wigan Infirmary | WWL NHS FT

Part of a new multi-storey extension, the cutting-edge department is now home to a top-tier computed tomography (CT) scanner and two digital X-ray rooms, serving ward patients and those arriving via the A&E unit.

Hospital bosses say that by placing these critical diagnostic tools on a single, easily accessible level, alongside the recently opened Andrew Foster endoscopy unit, the trust is reducing the need to transfer critically ill patients long distances or between hospital floors.

It is hoped this will improve patient flow, lead to a reduction in waiting times and accelerate emergency medical care.

Radiographers Lyndsey Unsworth and Tasneem Mulla | WWL NHS FT

Mary Fleming, CEO of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL), said: "This is a major milestone in our commitment to patient care. Having this new area and cutting-edge equipment will help to alleviate the flow of our ever-pressurised emergency department.

“The true transformation of this project will be the time colleagues in our ED will gain by not having to release health care assistants or nurses to escort patients to the diagnostics suite, which used to take a minimum time of 30 minutes per patient.”

The trust said the benefits of the £3.7m investment are:

• Faster turnaround times: accelerated CT imaging and digital X-rays mean quicker diagnosis and faster clinical decisions.

Radiographer Tasneem Mulla in the new A&E diagnostics area | WWL NHS FT

• Rapid discharges: swifter diagnostic results allow patients to safely return home sooner, freeing up crucial hospital bed capacity.

• Reduced A&E waits: by optimising patient flow, the hub directly tackles long waiting times within a highly pressured emergency department.

• Expanded capacity: this addition brings WWL’s total diagnostics to five advanced CT scanners operating across its three main sites.

The new diagnostic facility is part of a broader, trust-wide investment strategy to improve the patient experience.

Radiographer Tasneem Mulla at work in the new diagnostics area | WWL NHS FT

The new Andrew Foster endoscopy unit continues to provide quicker access to endoscopy procedures, meaning earlier diagnosis of conditions such as bowel cancer.

A total of £14.5m has been invested in endoscopy services across Wigan and Leigh to deliver faster diagnosis, better facilities and greater dignity for patients.

In a bid to tackle elective waiting lists, WWL has also heavily invested in its accredited surgical hubs at Wrightington Hospital and Leigh Infirmary.

This includes the launch of a second state-of-the-art orthopaedic robot (VELYS) for knee replacements, operating alongside its existing MAKO robot to deliver world-class precision and faster recovery times.

WWL was also recently awarded £2m through the NHS England Urgent and Emergency Care Capital Incentive Scheme.

This funding will be used to expand same day emergency care (SDEC) services, bridge the gap between hospital and home through the Better Lives programme, and transform how care is delivered across the borough.