Rise in diverted ambulances
THE number of A&E departments being forced to divert ambulances to other hospitals has more than doubled in recent weeks.
The most up-to-date figures released by health bosses reveal that 12 diverts were put in place between Monday, February 11 and Sunday, February 17 – up from five the previous week.
The following diverts were put in place:
One between Royal Oldham Hospital and Fairfield General Hospital, one between Royal Oldham Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital, one between Fairfield General Hospital and Royal Oldham Hospital, four between Manchester Royal Infirmary and Wythenshawe Hospital, four between Stepping Hill Hospital and Macclesfield District General Hospital and one between Royal Bolton Hospital and Wigan Infirmary.
The official data is released every week by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSCP). There were 28,817 attendances at A&E departments during the same week, slightly lower than the week before.
However, the number of people turning up to emergency departments has increased from 26,239 attendances for the same period in 2018.
A GMHSCP spokesperson said: “The weather in Greater Manchester may have slightly improved but the pressures faced by the health system are yet to ease.
“Last week saw a small decline in the amount of people attending A&E departments, though the number is significantly higher than in the same period last year.
”NHS staff across Greater Manchester are working incredibly hard to meet demand and the extensive planning that took place before winter is helping.
“However please remember we all have a role to play in keeping ourselves, family and loved ones safe and well.
“You should only attend A&E for the most serious conditions and consider if there’s an alternative – it not only helps hospitals but it could well be easier and quicker to receive treatment and advice.
“Care and support is available from your local GP practice and pharmacy as well as NHS 111, including NHS 111 online,” said the spokesperson.
A hospital ‘divert’ status can last for as little as half an hour to most of a day.
The GMHSCP said diverts exclude patients in ‘extreme clinical need’, meaning very poorly patients are not sent elsewhere for urgent care.