Patients face long waits in A&E as hospitals struggle with ‘high numbers’ of admissions

Patients are facing long waits in A&E departments across Greater Manchester as NHS bosses say hospitals are under major pressure ahead of winter.

A new report on emergency care waiting times by NHS Greater Manchester found that none of the region’s major hospitals are meeting the national target of seeing 78 percent of patients within four hours.

The target is worked out from when a patient arrives at A&E to either the time of admission, the time of discharge, or the time of transfer at the hospital.

Hospitals in Oldham (63.1pc), Salford (65.2pc), and Bury (66pc) were the worst performing in the region, all of which are run by the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA).

The NCA said A&E departments in its hospitals are facing “very challenging” conditions and huge demand for emergency care.

Stepping Hill hospital in Stockport struggled too, seeing 66.5 percent of patients within four hours at A&E.

Rochdale Infirmary, which is also run by the NCA, was one of the best performing in Greater Manchester alongside Trafford General Hospital.

Both managed to see more than 72pc of patients in four hours, but this was still behind the national target.

Hospitals in Bolton, Tameside, Wigan and Manchester were around the 69 to 71pc mark.

Meanwhile, there are growing fears over the impact of new Covid strain XEC, and of cuts to winter fuel allowance payments – with council leaders warning it could pile pressure on health and social care services in the region.

The problem of long waits in A&E departments can also be seen across the country, with a report from the King’s Fund published in May revealing that waits for emergency admissions have increased nationally, as well as rising numbers of people left waiting for more than 12 hours for A&E treatment.

Healthcare leaders in Greater Manchester have urged patients to remember that A&E services are only for serious or life-threatening situations.

Judith Adams, chief delivery officer at the NCA, said: “Across our three emergency departments, our teams in A&E are working incredibly hard, often in very challenging circumstances, to manage high numbers of patients.

"We are continuously working to introduce and test new ways of working to make sure people get the right treatment in the right place.

“As ever, we would always ask people to remember that A&E is for serious or life-threatening health conditions only.

"If you’re not sure where to go for your condition, call 111 or visit nhs111.co.uk for advice.

"A pharmacist or GP may be able to see and treat you sooner.”

Professor Colin Scales, deputy chief executive at NHS Greater Manchester, said he understands the “frustrations people feel” when they experience long waits.

He added: “We are in a challenged position regarding meeting the national performance standards, as we face rising demand, and higher numbers of attendances at emergency departments.

“Our priority as we approach winter is to ensure we can provide safe urgent and emergency care, and we are continuing to implement new ways of delivering our services to meet demand and ensure people who need a hospital bed get one quickly.

“If it’s not an emergency, or life-threatening, there may be other, more suitable options for people such as visiting a pharmacist, urgent dental or eye service, or calling 111 for fast advice.”

Number of attendances at A&E where patients spent less than four hours:

Trafford – 72.6 percent
Rochdale – 72.3 percent
Manchester – 71.5 percent
Wigan – 70.8 percent
Tameside – 70.4 percent
Bolton – 69.7 percent
Stockport – 66.5 percent
Bury – 66 percent
Salford – 65.2 percent
Oldham – 63.1 percent
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board – 69.3 percent

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