A NEW "much needed" ward could be built at Wigan’s Royal Albert Edward Infirmary to help cope with growing demand for beds in the winter months, writes Local Democracy Reporter Niall Griffiths.

The 28-bed ward is proposed on the site of the former pathology labs amid growing pressure to tackle bed shortages at the hospital.

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL) NHS Foundation Trust is hoping the move will also support wider plans to reduce the length of time patients spend in hospital beds.

It comes months "unprecedented" demand for the town’s A&E department saw patients admitted to other hospital units.

Hospital bosses have already had plans approved to provide a handful of extra beds through an extension to the existing Pemberton ward and outpatient clinic.

Richard Mundon, director of strategy and planning at WWL, said: “We continue to work with our partners to strengthen our resilience

in preparation for the expected increase in demand for hospital services throughout the winter period.

“The trust has committed funding for additional beds on the acute site which will not only provide much needed capacity but will also support the trust in implementing new models of care which would reduce the length of time that some patients spend in hospital beds.

“The new facility will also support the trust in avoiding patient admissions through an increase in same day emergency care services.”

In May, Wigan Infirmary’s governing body were told the hospital would have "no resilience" to deal with rising patient figures, or ward closures unless action was taken.

Three months earlier, a report revealed that the endoscopy unit was used for A&E patients for the first time, along with beds in the ambulatory assessment area, discharge lounge and catheter laboratory.

Wigan Infirmary is expected to have a shortfall of 72 beds by 2020, based on NHS guidelines.

Planning documents submitted to Wigan council reveal that the hospital’s diabetes centre will move to the ground floor beneath the new ward.

The centre’s current location in The Elms building was found to be ‘problematic’ for people with mobility problems.

WWL is also seeking to improve parking by building two onsite multi-storey car parks, though it remains unclear where they will be built.

The planning application says: “The trust is currently developing proposals for two multi-storey car parks which are being developed in full consultation with Wigan council’s planning department.”