Wigan hospitals lead a national effort to improve care for vulnerable groups
A major event has been held in Wigan to address healthcare for marginalised communities.
Wigan’s hospital trust has hosted the olaunch event for the prestigious Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing’s (QICN) newly established Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health.
The event, at the Wrightington Conference Centre, brought together healthcare leaders, regional partners, and frontline specialists to celebrate a major step forward in tackling severe health inequalities for people experiencing homelessness across the region and nationwide.
Selected by the QICN to lead this milestone gathering, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s (WWL) Health Outreach and Inclusion Service (HOIS) showcased its work delivering specialised care to marginalised groups, including people experiencing homelessness, vulnerable migrants, and socially excluded communities.
The faculty will serve as a national hub for leadership, professional education, and the development of standardised inclusion health practices.
By providing community nurses with dedicated guidance and national standards, the initiative aims to bridge critical gaps in care for patients facing systemic barriers to traditional healthcare.
Amber Broughton, specialist community outreach nurse and health outreach inclusion service team leader at WWL, said: "We were absolutely delighted to be asked by the QICN to host this landmark launch.
“Bringing together so many passionate partners allowed us to not only highlight the incredible work happening across our local health system, but also to help shape the national standards that will improve care for our most vulnerable populations for years to come."
The launch featured presentations from local healthcare teams, networking opportunities, and showcased sessions highlighting innovative cross-sector partnerships across Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
QICN chief executive Steph Lawrence said: "We were delighted to launch our new Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health at member organisation, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
“Health inclusion is a vital aspect of community nursing, coming at a crucial time for health services as the new government vows to eradicate rough sleeping in the UK.
“We are grateful to the team for hosting us."
WWL chiefs say that by taking a central role in this national initiative, the trust reinforced its commitment to reducing health inequalities, driving clinical innovation, and ensuring that high-quality healthcare remains accessible to all.