If you need medical advice or help urgently and your GP practice is closed, there are lots of services available to you in Wigan Borough.
NHS 111
Go online to www.111.nhs.uk or ring NHS 111 (dial 1-1-1) to get advice on symptoms and help to find the right service.
The website and phonelines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including bank holidays and weekends.
111 also able to book you a GP appointment on an evening, in the night and on a weekend with the Out of Hours GP service.
GP Evening and Weekend Appointments
If your GP is closed, or there isn’t an available appointment, you can ring the GP Evening and Weekend Appointment Service (also called the Extended Hours service) on 01942 482848.
They offer appointments on evenings 6.30-8pm and on weekends and bank holidays 10am-4pm.
GP Out of Hours
There is always a GP on duty in the Borough, even in the middle of the night. If you want to speak to a GP urgently, or need to be seen by a GP, call the GP Out of Hours services through NHS 111.
Walk-in-Centre
Leigh Walk-in-Centre is open 365 days a year, 7am-9pm. It offers walk-in services and treatment for many urgent illnesses and conditions. It is based at Leigh Infirmary.
There are other walk-in-centres outside the Borough, for example Skelmersdale and St Helens that might be nearer to you. Visit our Find your nearest service page to find your nearest walk-in-centre.
Emergency Dentist
If you need help with an urgent dental problem, call the Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care Service on 0333 332 3800, available from 8am to 10pm every day, including weekends and bank holidays.
You can only get an appointment with this service if you don’t have a dentist, or if your dentist is closed.
Accident and Emergency Department
Wigan A&E is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, including all bank holidays. A&E should only be used if you have a life threatening or very serious illness or condition that means you need emergency care, for example, a heart attack or stroke. Otherwise, please use one of the alternatives above and keep A&E for those who need it most.
Changes at Wigan A&E
From the 28th October – 3rd November 2020, we are piloting a new way of working at Wigan Emergency Department (A&E) to make sure that people in need of urgent and emergency NHS care get the right care in the right place.
We want to give you a better experience and keep you safe by reducing the amount of time you spend in NHS waiting rooms. This is particularly important now we are seeing increasing numbers of people with Coronavirus in the Borough.
On your arrival, you will be greeted at A&E by a GP or a nurse who will ask you some questions to understand what medical help you need.
If you have a serious or life-threatening illness or injury, you will be seen in A&E as soon as possible and please be reassured that you are our priority.
If you don’t have a serious or life-threatening illness or injury, you may be:
- Asked to wait in your car
- Asked to return to A&E at a specific time later on
- Asked to see your GP or visit your local pharmacy
- Given an appointment with the most relevant hospital, community or mental health service for you
- Given advice to support you to look after yourself
Please help us to help you by following the advice of the GP or nurse.