The NHS has issued a plea to Greater Manchester residents urging them not to go to A&E unless it’s a “life-threatening emergency”.
Hospitals across the region are now said to be experiencing “unprecedented pressures”.
In the wake of the mass striking of ambulance workers across the North West just before Christmas, NHS Greater Manchester explained that it was experiencing “a sustained increase” in demand for all its services, but that the area under the most pressure was the region’s emergency departments – with “exceptionally high numbers of people” making a trip to A&E.
Medical officials in the region revealed last week that most of Greater Manchester’s hospitals were almost full, with limited beds available, and that there was “extremely long waits” to be seen in emergency departments and for ambulances.
“This is not a situation we want for any of our patients and our dedicated staff are working extremely hard to make sure patients are seen in order of clinical need,” an urgent NHS statement read.
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With its top priority being able to continue providing safe and high-quality care for people across the region though, NHS Greater Manchester did indicate last week that, in the coming days, it may be forced to make some further changes in order to protect its emergency and life-saving services and ensure it can “maintain safe care 24/7.”
Now, less than two-weeks after this initial warning, an urgent plea asking Greater Manchester residents not to attend A&E or call 999 unless it is absolutely necessary has now been issued.
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“The first days back after the Christmas break is always busy for NHS services, but this has been beyond anything we have experienced before,” explained Professor Jane Eddleston – Greater Manchester Medical Executive lead for acute care.
“So we are making an urgent plea to the public in Greater Manchester to only call 999 or attend A& E departments if their condition is a life-threatening emergency.”
Professor Eddleston pointed to “unprecedented levels of attendance at A&E, staff sickness, and increased prevalence of flu and COVID” as being key contributing factors leading to very long waits in emergency departments and for ambulances.
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“We urge the public to use alternative services to make use of NHS 111 online and phone services,” she added.
“Contacting your GP and attending your local pharmacist will mean you get treatment much sooner.”
NHS Greater Manchester is now also urging anyone experiencing flu or COVID-like symptoms to stay at home as we head into the new year so that they do not pass on infections on to others.
“Both can be serious illnesses, so please take the necessary precautions to protect your loved ones, particularly those who are vulnerable, including getting your vaccines if you are eligible,” Professor Eddleston concluded.
Featured Image – NHS Greater Manchester
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Entire tram line suspended due to overhead line damage at Old Trafford
Daisy Jackson
Metrolink trams along the Altrincham line have been suspended due to damage to an overhead line near Old Trafford.
The damage, caused by a third party, has caused significant disruption for commuters across the Greater Manchester region this afternoon.
No Metrolink tram services are operating between Altrincham and Piccadilly, in either direction.
Large queues are already forming for buses at Piccadilly Gardens as people attempt to get home.
Engineers have arrived on site to try and fix the issue, but ‘significant disruption’ is expected to continue into the evening.
TfGM and Metrolink have also deployed staff to assist people with their journeys at all stops in the city centre as well as at Old Trafford, Trafford Bar, and Cornbrook.
Trams between Bury and Deansgate-Castlefield are unaffected.
Ticket acceptance is in place on the 245, 255, 256, 263, 281 and 285 bus services and on Northern Rail services between Altrincham and the city centre. Simply show the driver your Metrolink ticket or pass when boarding.
You can plan the rest of your journey online using the TfGM journey planner here.
Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals
Emily Sergeant
Pubs are to be permitted to extend their opening hours if England make it through to the semi-finals of EURO 2024 this summer.
With the Premier League, and the English and Scottish football leagues, all drawing to a close over the next couple of weeks, our nations are already looking ahead to what is gearing up to be a massive summer of sport – with both the UEFA EURO 2024, and the 2024 Olympics coming up before August is out.
And now, it’s been revealed by Home Secretary James Cleverly that if either England or Scotland’s mens national football teams make it to the semi-final of European football’s flagship tournament, then pubs will be allowed to stay open for longer.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… because isn’t there always?
The Government has said that venues will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on match days if either or both teams reach the last four or the final of the competition, but this only applies to pubs that already have a license to open until 11pm anyway.
The move to extend opening hours comes after a consultation at the end of last year, and is hoped to provide a boost to the hospitality industry – which has notably been hit hard during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The Home Secretaries in England and Wales, under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”, but the Scottish and Northern Irish Governments have to set their own rules.
“We have listened to the public through our consultation,” explained Home Secretary James Cleverley, “and we will be extending pub licensing hours should England or Scotland reach the semi-finals or final of Euro 2024.”
The EURO 2024 semi-finals are to be held on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July / Credit: UEFA
Mr Cleverley said the move will “allow friends, families and communities to come together for longer to watch their nation hopefully bring it home”.
This legislation is set to be laid in Parliament today (Wednesday 8 May) to ensure there is enough time for it to be debated and passed before the tournament begins on Friday 14 June, the Government has confirmed.