HEALTH care and council staff are set to move in together as part of a plan to improve services in the borough.

This will see a team of 1,000 staff, working together at Hindley Town Hall, to prevent people from going into hospital by supporting them to live in their homes.

District nurses, occupational therapists, community matrons, physiotherapists, social workers and other healthcare staff will now work alongside staff from the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, Wigan Council and the Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

The move is part of the borough’s agreement to join up health and social care services as part of their Locality Plan.

It is hoped that being based together will not only improve the efficiency of the borough’s health service, but also lead to a better provision for residents as staff will be able to communicate more easily about their individual needs.

Cllr Keith Cunliffe, chairman of the health and wellbeing board at Wigan Council, said: “I am really pleased to see staff from the council, hospital and Bridgewater coming together for the good of the community.

"There is still a long way to go but I am very pleased with the progress that has been made so far.”