UPDATED: 17th January - 6.30pm
The Royal College of Nursing has confirmed that its members will take part in industrial action against the Government, at NHS organisations, including at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL), on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th January, 2023.
WWL would like to reassure the public that robust plans are in place to protect its emergency services and to safely care for patients who use its services or are in urgent need.
WWL will maintain a focus on protecting essential life and limb services such as Accident and Emergency (A&E) (including Paediatric A&E), Maternity, Emergency Theatres, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (including Neonatal Intensive Care and Paediatric Intensive Care), Chemotherapy and Dialysis, however a number of services, including the Urgent Treatment Centres at Leigh Infirmary and Royal Albert Edward Infirmary will be impacted.
Speaking ahead of the industrial action, WWL’s Chief Nurse, Rabina Tindale, said: “We know that this action is against the Government, not against WWL, and as a Trust, we fully respect the rights of union members to take part in industrial action recommended by their trade union.
“WWL’s tried and tested plans are in place to manage any disruption, and patient safety, as always, will continue to remain our top priority. We are working with our partner organisations within the Wigan Borough and Greater Manchester to ensure the least amount of disruption to our services as possible, but we must ask the public for their help once more, by choosing the most appropriate services available to them, and by avoiding our Emergency Department in Wigan unless it is for a life or limb-threatening emergency.”
If you have an appointment planned for either of the dates that strike action is planned, unless otherwise advised directly by WWL, all patients are asked to attend their appointments as normal. You do not need to contact WWL, anyone whose appointments or care may be impacted will be contacted directly by WWL to reschedule a new date as soon as possible.
Temporary changes to opening times have been made at Leigh Urgent Treatment Centre and at the Urgent Treatment Centre at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary for both days of the industrial action:
- Urgent Treatment Centre at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary – open from 8pm to 1am on 18th and 19th January.
- Urgent Treatment Centre at Leigh Infirmary – not opening on 18th and 19th January.
If you need medical advice and support and your condition is not life or limb-threatening, visit NHS 111 Online in the first instance or call the 111 helpline.
Please contact NHS 111 if:
- You need medical help fast, but it's not a 999 emergency.
- You don't know who to call for medical help or you don't have a GP to call.
- You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service; or.
- You require health information or reassurance about what to do next.
If you need urgent help with your mental health, the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust crisis line is available for 24/7 support. You can call 0800 953 0285 for free. You can also contact your GP, or contact a local pharmacy for advice.