Demand on the NHS continues to be sky-high - with 97 per cent of all Greater Manchester hospital beds taken. It comes amid warnings that pressure will rise yet again with the onset of more industrial action over the coming days.
The NHS crisis rages on as hospital bed occupancy remains at critical levels. As of 26 January 2023, the latest figures issued by Greater Manchester's NHS, hospital bed occupancy is around 97pc. NHS chiefs have previously said that any number of 85 per cent is one of 'an awful lot of concern'.
Despite the NHS' proclaimed efforts to reduce the number of patients in hospital, the bed occupancy figures for the region have remained roughly static for weeks. As of 18 January 2023, hospital bed occupancy was also around 97pc, as of January 13, it was again at 97pc.
On January 6, hospital bed occupancy was 98pc, with 12pc of beds occupied with Covid-positive patients. There were also 384 people in ‘general and acute’ hospital beds with flu and 17 in ‘critical care’ beds. In Greater Manchester, there are approximately 5,000 beds across the hospitals, meaning around only around 100 beds were left across the entire region.
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The high figures come weeks after the president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Dr Adrian Boyle said as many as 500 people could be dying each week because of delays to emergency care. A crippled social care system and a wave of flu and Covid have been piling yet more pressure to hospitals.
Understaffing in the social care section means hundreds of patients medically well enough to go home cannot be safely discharged as there is no support in place for when they get there, risking a return to hospital.
Multiple medics have told the Manchester Evening News of wards in hospitals around the region filled with patients waiting weeks for care packages, leading to fewer beds being available for incoming patients.
Greater Manchester NHS leaders are also warning about upcoming strike action, encouraging people to get Covid and flu jabs to prevent deterioration from the illnesses which has been resulting in hospital admittances for many people.
"Hospital demand again remains high, with a reduced number of beds available. In order to help us retain our urgent and emergency care services for those who really need it, we ask that the public consider the best NHS service for their needs, using NHS 111 online for advice and support and only calling 999 or attending A&E in a life-threatening emergency," the latest Greater Manchester NHS briefing reads.
"We are very appreciative of staff across the whole health and care system who are working exceptionally hard in challenging circumstances. As of 26 January 2023, hospital bed occupancy is around 97 per cent, with 517 Covid-positive patients (including East Cheshire).
"There are 157 people in ‘general and acute’ hospital beds with flu and 20 in ‘critical care’ beds. As of 23 January 2023, there were 814 people medically fit for discharge in hospital. On 23 January 2023, there were 181 admissions to hospital and 138 discharges from hospital."
Mark Fisher, chief executive, NHS Greater Manchester, said: “With further industrial action this week, demand continuing for GP appointments and high levels of staff sickness the system has continued to feel pressured. As a system we have stepped up various plans to allow us to cope with this pressure and maintain the delivery of quality care across Greater Manchester.
"Our Primary Care Winter Surge Plan for example includes additional capacity for GP appointments, increasing access to same-day appointments and creating dedicated Acute Respiratory Hubs and means that patients can get the care they need in a timely manner.
“Members of the public have listened and supported our ask to seek alternative NHS services via NHS 111 online, particularly on days of strike action, for that I am grateful. With Covid-19 and flu still lingering, another way you can support us and importantly help keep yourself and your loved ones healthy, is by making sure that if eligible, you book to get your vaccine. It’s important to remember that these viruses can make you seriously ill and the vaccine is your best protection.”
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