One hospital is warning that its A&E is busy, leading to longer waiting times, after one patient came to the emergency department because 'they couldn't sleep'.
The Royal Bolton Hospital is urging people to make sure they are choosing the right place for their care, amid examples of patients arriving who do not need urgent help.
The hospital's announcement comes after months of high pressures for A&Es across the region, with other centres dissuading anyone without serious or life-threatening conditions from attending.
Sharing an image of one of the emergency department's staff nurses, the Royal Bolton Hospital tweeted: "Ashleigh works in our A&E which is still busy with lots of people arriving, meaning wait times are longer.
"One patient came in because they couldn't sleep.
"Please only attend if it's an emergency. If it's minor consider using other services to get the care you need."
Last month, NHS Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals found itself in a similar position - sending out a warning that the emergency department at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary was 'very busy'.
Again, medics voiced concerns that people were arriving with 'minor issues'.
In a video plea issued online on February 18, medical director Dr Sanjay Arya told Wiganers: "We do really need your help.
"We are currently experiencing a high demand on our emergency services, with some patients attending our A&E department with minor issues that could be dealt with elsewhere.
"It's so important that we save our emergency care for those who are experiencing serious or life-threatening illnesses and need our urgent care the most.
"Our staff are doing an incredible job to care for the most unwell people and making sure they get the help they need as quickly and safely as possible, but we need your help.
"So before you rush to A&E, please help them by choosing the right NHS service and only attend the hospital if you have an appointment, or if you have an urgent or life-threatening issue.
"If you're unsure, think 111 first. They will help get you the right care and can even book you in at our emergency care department or to see a GP if necessary."
NHS hospitals across Greater Manchester have reported high demand throughout the pandemic, and recent weeks have been no exception.
The region's lead director of public health told the Manchester Evening News that the hospital system is currently 'running very hot', with bed occupancy hovering around 90 per cent.
Making matters even more pressurised, there are now more than 400,000 people in Greater Manchester waiting for NHS treatment following delays during the pandemic - before electives cancelled in January are added to the figures.
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