The NHS in Greater Manchester is mired by strikes; a 'twindemic' of flu and Covid; collapsing social care; and more emergency department attendances than ever before.
The crisis is resulting in tragic consequences, according to staff, who say patients are languishing in A&Es for days at a time, their conditions worsening all the time.
The same problems have taken hold of hospitals across England, as reports have flooded in of patients dying in emergency departments as they suffer huge waits for treatment. Doctors say demand is far outstripping capacity - amid chronic NHS staff shortages, there simply are not enough pairs of hands or beds to cope with the onslaught of very sick people.
