Greater Manchester's health service is starting another day under soaring pressure. NHS bosses across the region are urging people to avoid A&E unless faced with a life-threatening condition.
But pressure is being felt across all corners of the health and care system, which has been described as 'really intense' by Mandy Philbin, chief nurse for NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care. Hospital beds have seen occupancy of 98% in recent days, with long lines of ambulances queueing outside and patients warned of 'poor experience'.
Northern Care Alliance - which runs four hospitals and community services within Salford, Oldham, Bury and Rochdale - raised a 'Business Continuity Incident' last night (December 29) due to the pressure being faced. But Ms Philbin says the strain is also being felt at GP practices - with one of the region's GPs telling followers on Twitter last night she felt 'physically broken'.
