Release date: January 14, 2022
Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe
Local Hospitals: Rochdale Infirmary, Fairfield General Hospital, Royal Oldham Hospital, North Manchester General Hospital
Local hospitals have requested military support in the fight against the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
The Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership is awaiting confirmation on the level of support being provided.
This is due to non-urgent surgeries and hospital appointments being postponed due to staff shortages due to the high level of illness and isolation from Covid-19. The NHS is under constant pressure resulting in extremely long waits in Emergency Departments (A&E) and long waits for ambulances. Broader primary care continues to be under significant pressure as the community pharmacy sees high demand for lateral flow testing due to national supply issues.
There are currently over 1,200 people with Covid-19 occupying hospital beds in Greater Manchester (week of January 10th).
The partnership works across Greater Manchester to meet demand for hospital services in a variety of ways including:
- Opening as many extra beds as is safe to do in hospitals and community facilities
- Actively release people home where possible and safe
- Virtual services have been set up to see more people
- Reallocation of staff where appropriate and safe
A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said:
“Health and care services across Greater Manchester have been under ongoing pressure during the pandemic, compounded in recent weeks by the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
“Patient safety will always be our priority and we have already taken a number of steps to ensure we can care for those who need it most. This now includes asking for assistance from the armed forces in discharging patients and assisting with administrative and planning tasks – as well as providing some basic services such as helping patients with feeding and hydration.
“At this challenging time we ask everyone to continue to support the NHS.
“If your need is urgent but not an emergency, please use NHS 111, either online or by phone – their trained advisers can help and direct you to the best place for treatment.
“Reducing the spread of coronavirus is an important way people can help the NHS at this time. Please continue to follow all government guidance, wear face coverings in public, limit social contact where possible, and practice good hygiene.
“And remember, if you’re not fully vaccinated, it will never be too late to have one of your shots – it’s the best thing you can do for yourself and your community.”
Sarah Price, Interim Chief Officer of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, added: “The number of people in our hospitals remains high. So if you are picking up a loved one, please pick them up as soon as possible.
“We know it’s not always possible to drop everything when we call, but the faster we can get someone home, the faster we can give the bed to another person who really needs it.”
Anyone with health concerns is urged to continue to call in for help and treatment as usual and only contact the local emergency department for serious illness or injury.
Many ailments can be safely treated at home or with a visit to a local pharmacist. Your local pharmacist can advise you on many health issues without you having to make an appointment. Over 95% of community pharmacies now have a private consultation room from which they can advise patients and offer a range of services.
GP surgeries are open and have remained open throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Many GPs are now working differently, asking patients to report online first (if possible) and operating a system of triage (order of treatment) to ensure patients with more urgent concerns are prioritized, including for a face-to-face appointment.
Dental offices are open and providing services. The practices are working hard to see as many patients as possible while ensuring services are safe for the public. You can be contacted by phone or online for advice or to make an appointment if required. The Greater Manchester Dental Helpline (0333 332 3800) is available from 8am to 10pm every day including weekends and bank holidays for those who need urgent help when their practice is closed or who don’t have a regular dentist.
People can seek help in the community to avoid hospital visits for eye-related accidents and emergencies. A service has been set up to allow patients to access free urgent NHS care at some on-site optometry practices. Some optometrists have equipment to do scans of the eye, and others have received additional training to allow them to prescribe eye medications.
Optometrists can share information with Manchester Royal Eye Hospital for an additional opinion if required. Sometimes patients can be hospitalized if further treatment is needed. More information can be found here.
Anyone who has an urgent medical need and isn’t sure what to do can contact NHS 111 online or call free. The NHS 111 service can provide self-care advice, direct you to a suitable local service or book people to see you at your local pharmacy, GP surgery or emergency department.
NHS 111 can book you an appointment at your local emergency room or emergency room. This means you have an allotted time to go to the hospital and get treatment, so you don’t have to wait long to be seen, and you can also help ensure services aren’t overcrowded.
