Record numbers at A&E
400 PEOPLE ATTEND NORTH MANCHESTER GENERAL IN ONE DAY AS HEATWAVE AND FIRES TAKE THEIR TOLL
NORTH Manchester General saw its highest number of A&E attendances ever on Monday as the heatwave and two major moors fires place pressure on health services across the region.
A spokesman for the Crumpsall hospital said it was ‘very busy’ due to the heat, while one senior Manchester health figure referred to a ‘significant challenge’ in the city around air quality thanks to high pollen levels, heat and smoke.
It is understood the Royal Oldham has seen a rise in attendances since Monday, June 25, the day after the Saddleworth Moors fire broke out, although it is so far unclear whether the two situations are linked.
Greater Manchester health bosses have urged people to stay away from A&E departments unless they are facing a genuine emergency.
On Monday nearly 400 people attended the A&E at North Manchester General, the highest figure on record - although numbers dropped back to 304 yesterday.
Dr Jimmy Stuart, clinical director for Urgent Care at the hospital, said: “Despite our staff working extremely hard, our A&E department at North Manchester is very busy and remains under pressure.
“This warm weather and increased demand for our urgent care services is adding to waiting times for those with minor complaints.
“Currently we are seeing over 300 patients per day attending our A&E and Monday, July 2, was the busiest day on record and we saw 393 patients.
“I would like to apologise to patients who are waiting longer than expected to be seen, and would ask the public to help us and think carefully about which health service is appropriate for their condition, only coming to A&E if it is a genuine emergency.”
He added: “Our A&E staff always prioritise and treat the sickest patients first, such as those with life-threatening conditions like head injuries, heart attacks and strokes.”
A senior Manchester health figure referred to a ‘significant spike’ in demand across the city’s NHS system.
A spokesman for Pennine Acute NHS Trust - which runs North Manchester, along with three other hospitals - said the Royal Oldham was also seeing higher than average attendances this week, again due to the heat and higher than usual numbers of patients with minor ailments. One senior Oldham health source said A&E had seen notably high numbers since last Monday, the day after the Saddleworth Moors fire broke out, but said it was too early to say whether the two situations were related. Elsewhere the picture appears to vary, with neither Fairfield General in Bury - which is currently one of the top 10 performing hospitals in the country for A&E waits - or Tameside General seeing notably high attendances.
Stepping Hill in Stockport said numbers were higher than usual, but only very slightly.
Jon Rouse, chief officer of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The prolonged hot weather has meant that more people are visiting A&Es across Greater Manchester; this is similar to other parts of the country. The hot weather has increased demand on our ambulance service and hospitals; in part due to people suffering from respiratory illnesses; heat related conditions; dehydration; increased alcohol consumption and some trauma injuries.”
Trusts for Bolton and Wigan have been contacted for a comment.