1. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you travel to your hospital appointments.

  2. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  3. Snapshot Report: Cancer Information

    Report -

    We wanted to find out what mental health support is available to local people who have received a cancer diagnosis and also speak to professionals to see what would help them support their patients, carers and families in the community?

  4. Snapshot Report: Stroke Information

    Report -

    We wanted to find out what support would local people want when leaving hospital after having a Stroke? We worked in partnership with other organisation to hold an events to gather patients experiences and thoughts around this project.

  5. A Week in A & E

    Report -

    Throughout August 2019 we visited Royal Albert Edward Infirmary to collect people’s experiences about what services, if any, they had contacted before visiting the Emergency Care Centre.

  6. Engagement in the Ambulatory Care Unit 2018

    Report -

    We visited Royal Albert Edward Infirmary to understand how patients using this unit feel about this type of care.

  7. Atherleigh Park Enter and View 2017

    Report -

    Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh team of authorised representatives visited Atherleigh Park to conduct an enter and view report. Within this report it sets outs; key findings, summary and results of the enter and view visit.

  8. Have you left hospital during COVID-19? Tell us your experience

    News -

    To respond to coronavirus, hospitals in Wigan & Leigh had to quickly change. Tell us how this has affected the care you or your loved one has received.

  9. What can you expect when you’re discharged from hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    The usual processes the NHS follows to discharge you from hospital have changed during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you can expect when it’s time to leave hospital.

  10. Discharge from hospital project - Patients & carers

    News -

    Have you or someone you care for recently been discharged from hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic?

  11. Hospital discharge project

    News -

    Find out how you can get involved with our work on hospital discharge experiences during COVID-19.

  12. Patient Experience - Hospital Discharge

    Blog -

    In this patient story, we follow Mabel and her experience getting discharged from hospital.

  13. Are you or your loved ones waiting for hospital care? Share you views

    News -

    Millions of people have had their treatment delayed by the pandemic – are you one of them? We want to know if you’re getting the advice, information and support you need while you wait.

  14. What to expect when waiting for care

    Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

  15. Experiences of Using NHS 111 Snapshot Survey

    Report -

    An engagement outcome report on people's experiences of using NHS 111 from the Wigan Borough CCG.

  16. People living in the poorest areas waiting longer for hospital treatment

    Blog -

    The King’s Fund and Healthwatch England jointly call for urgent action to address hospital waiting lists and improve patients’ experience of delays to treatment

  17. Healthwatch Quarter 3 report - October to December 2021

    Report -

    This edition of Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh's quarter 3 newsletter is now available to read and includes the following updates and features:

  18. Advice and Information

    Advice and Information -

    Information and advice around health and social care

  19. A statement about Edenfield Centre from Healthwatch in Greater Manchester

    News -

    Healthwatch in Greater Manchester have released a joint statement regarding the events taking place.

  20. Annual Report 2022-23

    Report -

    Together we’re making health and social care better

  21. National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2022

    Report -

    The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2022 results were published this week. The survey was commissioned and managed by NHS England.

  22. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    People are often in need of out-of-hours medical assistance. Using NHS guidelines we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  23. Winter Wise. A guide to keeping well this Winter

    News -

    Winter Wise. A guide to keeping well this winter

  24. Autumn Report 2023

    Report -

    “Over the last quarter HWWL has ensured representation on an increasing
    number of committees and groups. The Chair and Chief Officer have a
    place on the ICS and ICB forums where we can ensure engagement
    and inclusion of public opinion is embedded into service design.

  25. Industrial action: senior NHS doctors and government reach agreement

    Response -

    Senior NHS doctors in England have voted to accept an offer from the government on pay and conditions, following months of strike action. Read our response.

  26. Quarterly Report: October - December 2019

    Report -

    Throughout the year we look at the issues that are important to you. We are currently in quarter three, this quarter focuses on information collected from October to December 2019

  27. New COVID-19 restrictions affecting Wigan & Leigh

    News -

    An outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has been identified in parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire, and West Yorkshire. The government and relevant local authorities are acting together to control the spread of the virus.

  28. Living with a long term condition during the coronavirus - Report

    Report -

    In response to COVID-19, we are aware that health and social care services have had to drastically change the support they offer the public.

  29. Our response to the coronavirus outbreak - Report

    Report -

    As the COVID-19 cases climbed, our number one priority was to protect our people: our staff and our volunteers. In line with guidance from Healthwatch England, this meant postponing all our planned public events and engagement activities.

  30. Coronavirus - Changes to shielding

    Advice and Information -

    From 1 August, the government will pause shielding unless the transmission of COVID-19 in the community starts to rise significantly.

  31. New look for GP practices

    News -

    Here's what your GP practice will now look like due to COVID-19 safety measures

  32. What you need to know when visiting a care home (new guidance for COVID-19)

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at what the guidance around visiting your loved ones in care homes means in practice.

  33. How the new NHS COVID-19 app offers better data privacy

    Blog -

    The NHS has just released a revamped COVID-19 contact-tracing app for testing. We look at how it addresses many of the concerns people have when it comes to their data privacy and security.

  34. Getting the most out of the virtual health and care experience

    Advice and Information -

    Want to know how to get the most out of virtual health and care appointments for both patients and health care professionals? We've put together some tips.

  35. Local lockdown restriction update & COVID-19 bulletin

    News -

    After Greater Manchester leaders urged the government to review the regional Covid-19 restrictions, on 20th August, Wigan Borough was removed from the local lockdown and residents will now need to follow national rules.

  36. How to communicate better with people with hearing loss

    Advice and Information -

    COVID-19 poses a unique challenge for health and social care professionals when talking to someone with hearing loss. Here are some important tips to help you communicate effectively.

  37. Guidance for managing funerals during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    While funerals with physical attendance from mourners can still continue, it's important that those attending following the government rules and guidelines.

  38. Coronavirus Factsheet - Getting Tested

    Advice and Information -

    If you have symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19) or have been asked to get tested in Wigan & Leigh, here's what you need to do.

  39. Coronavirus Testing Project - Test & Trace

    News -

    Take part in our latest COVID-19 project and share your experiences of coronavirus testing, being asked to self isolate, and more.

  40. Care home experiences during COVID-19 project

    News -

    Have you or a loved one been living in a Wigan Borough care home during the COVID-19 pandemic? We'd like to hear your experiences.

  41. What's the difference between social distancing, self-isolation and shielding?

    Advice and Information -

    Self-isolation, social distancing and shielding have been introduced by the Government to help you and your loved ones stay safe from COVID-19. Find out what they mean in practice and what applies to you.

  42. New COVID alert levels: Greater Manchester moves to 'VERY HIGH'

    News -

    The government introduced a new set of local COVID alert levels last week, bringing localised restrictions - but what does 'Very High' mean for Wigan & Leigh?

  43. Public services: lessons from coronavirus

    Blog -

    We're delighted to share this amazing story about the experiences of one of our brilliant volunteers, Debra Baxter.

  44. New national COVID lockdown: information

    Advice and Information -

    From Thursday 5th November, there will be new COVID-19 restrictions affecting England. Find out more.

  45. COVID-19 Christmas Bubble

    Advice and Information -

    On 25th December, you can create a Christmas bubble with another two households, creating a bubble of three households overall.

  46. COVID-19 Vaccination Information

    Advice and Information -

    Find out more about getting the coronavirus vaccine in the Borough.

  47. Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine

    News -

    Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines are now available. Both vaccines have been shown to be safe and offer high levels of protection. Here are some answers to your frequently asked questions regarding the vaccine: