Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

27/08/2026

As part of our series, every Thursday, we'll be sharing what members of Team WWL love about working here, from the people they work with to the difference they make every day.

Meet Lorraine Heaton, Contract Services Manager, who has worked at WWL for 35 years.

Lorraine said: “I love my job and I am passionate about the NHS and my role at my local Trust.

“I am very proud of my teams both in Linen Services and Switchboard for the essential and efficient services we provide, not only to staff service users, but most importantly our patients at often the most worrying times in their lives. They really are at the heart of why we are here.

“My teams are the little cogs that make the big wheels turn. Often unseen, but always there in the background, our support staff ensure that sterile linen is available for patient and staff use, uniforms are provided for staff and communication between depts, external organisations and patient relatives is maintained supportively.

“We work with commitment and integrity. We do it well, and we do it with pride.” 💙

26/08/2026

Our People’s Choice Award is back as part of the annual STAR Awards, giving patients, families and members of the public the chance to recognise an exceptional colleague who has gone above and beyond in their care.

💙 Submit your nomination today: https://shorturl.at/oO5yg
🗓️ Nominations close at midnight on 11th September

Here is last year's winner, Laura Jenions🏆

🌟 Has a member of Team WWL made a real difference to you or a loved one?

Our People’s Choice Award is back as part of the annual STAR Awards, giving patients, families and members of the public the chance to recognise an exceptional colleague who has gone above and beyond in their care.

Whether it's a nurse, doctor, healthcare support worker, therapist, porter, volunteer, administrator or any other member of Team WWL, we want to hear your story.

💙 Submit your nomination today: https://shorturl.at/oO5yg
🗓️ Nominations close at midnight on 11th September

Here is last year's winner, Laura Jenions🏆

25/08/2026

🖤

Everyone at Wigan Council is heartbroken by the news that Sir Billy Boston has passed away. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends and all those who knew and admired him.

It is difficult to put into words Sir Billy's impact on our borough. He was a pioneer, a sporting icon and a true gentleman whose achievements were inspirational.

We were incredibly proud to see him become the first person in rugby league history to receive a knighthood in 2025, a thoroughly deserved honour that recognised both his extraordinary sporting achievements and his lasting contribution to society.

Sir Billy was also one of the first recipients of a Believe Star, and his statue stands proudly in Believe Square as a lasting reminder of his remarkable legacy and the pride he brought to Wigan Borough.

As a mark of respect, our town halls will be illuminated and our ceremonial flags will be flown at half-mast.

Alongside our friends and colleagues at Wigan Warriors, and with the wider rugby league and sporting communities, we will play our part in paying tribute to a remarkable man who was so deeply loved and respected by so many. Sir Billy's legacy will endure for generations to come, and he will never be forgotten in our borough.

25/08/2026

24/08/2026

🎉 After an incredible 49 years of service, Aspull Ward at Wigan Infirmary has said a heartfelt goodbye to Healthcare Assistant, Carol Wilkinson as she begins her well-earned retirement.

Starting her NHS career at just 24 years old, Carol has dedicated nearly five decades to caring for patients, supporting colleagues, and sharing her vast orthopaedic knowledge with generations of staff. Her compassion, professionalism, and commitment to patient care have made a lasting impact on everyone who has had the privilege of working alongside her.

Thank you, Carol, for your outstanding contribution to the NHS and to WWL. Wishing you a long, happy, and healthy retirement filled with wonderful new adventures 💙

20/08/2026

Earlier this month, we hosted the official launch event for the prestigious Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing’s (QICN) newly established Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health after being selected to lead this milestone.

The event was held at Wrightington Hospital and 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.

Reflecting on the event’s success, 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 Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing 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." 🫶

20/08/2026

This week in our series, we'd like to introduce you to John Horley, Advanced Paediatric Nurse Practitioner here at WWL🌟

John said: “I'm proud to be a children's nurse at Wigan. From the very beginning of my career, caring for children and their families as an Emergency Nurse and later as an Advanced Paediatric Nurse Practitioner has been a privilege that has shaped who I am. I have a passion for delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

“Rainbow Ward is more than a place to work - it's a team of dedicated, compassionate professionals who support one another through every challenge and celebrate every success together. It is a place where teamwork, kindness and professionalism come together to provide the very best care for children, young people and their families.

“Alongside my clinical role on the ward, I'm privileged to work as a senior member of staff within WWL, collaborating with nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and leaders to continually improve the services we provide. The respect we've built for one another comes from shared values, mutual trust and a collective commitment to doing what's right for our patients.

“I want to continue to drive positive change, develop more effective and sustainable ways of working, and, above all, continually improve the care we provide for children, young people and their families.”

Thank you John for your passion and dedication to our paediatric patients ❣️

18/08/2026

Meet Frank Jr, our paw-sitively amazing therapy dog and his wonderful owner, Janet, who also volunteers with us! 🐶

Frank Jr has been at Wigan Hospital this morning, bringing comfort, companionship and lots of tail wags to patients, visitors and colleagues.

Therapy dogs can make a huge difference to wellbeing, helping people feel calmer, more relaxed and a little brighter during their day. Judging by the smiles he received, Frank Jr was a big hit! 💙

Thank you, Frank Jr, for helping make our hospital a happier place, one pawprint at a time 🐾

14/08/2026

If you need urgent medical help this weekend, think NHS 111.

NHS 111 online provides quick medical advice, is easy to use and will direct you to the right service.

When you need urgent medical help, go to ▶️ 111.nhs.uk

13/08/2026

shines a spotlight on the amazing people who make our Trust what it is 🌟

Say hello to our domestic assistants Kelly Glaister and Colleen Fouracre who are part of our award-winning team who keep our hospitals clean.

They take real pride in what they do and said:

“We love what we do and we get lots of positive feedback from our patients and families. We clean to the highest standards and are proud of what we do.”

Thank you for all that you do to make our environment sparkle 🫶