Seven ambulances were pictured waiting outside Royal Bolton Hospitals' A&E department on Monday evening (December 19), just hours after the trust warned of 'extremely long waits' for non-urgent patients and urged people to 'think twice' before attending.
On Monday night, as many as seven ambulances were seen waiting outside the hospital. Earlier in the day, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust put out a public appeal, where people were told to consider calling 111, going to the GP or local pharmacist instead due to the stretched A&E department.
It comes just two days before North West Ambulance Service staff are set to stage a walkout, on Wednesday (December 21), with ambulance chiefs saying that sick of injured people in Greater Manchester may have to face getting a taxi to hospital, in a leaked memo to staff.
READ MORE Patients told to get themselves to hospital in taxis during ambulance service strike
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust said that people who do not have an 'urgent need' will 'experience extremely long waits' while they treat the people who need them the most.
Tyrone Roberts, chief nurse at the Royal Bolton Hospital said: “We are experiencing significant demand and demand over and above what we have usually experienced when we have said we are feeling challenged. We of course are here to help those who absolutely need us, and we wouldn’t anyone to stay away who does need the services of A&E.
“For those who could have care elsewhere, it would really help in terms of reducing the congestion in the department and help us to focus on those who absolutely need to be here.”
The hospital trust went on to urge people to stay away from A&E and access the self help and advice available unless they are really worried or a clinical emergency in which A&E proves the only option, writing: "Our services have been working under some pressure for some time but during the weekend that pressure increased significantly.
"The number of people attending our Emergency Department is really high and we are working through everyone who needs our help as soon as we possibly can. People who do not have an urgent need will experience extremely long waits while we treat the people who need us the most."
The trust also cited how a high number of patients waiting to be discharged and increasing cases of winter flu had also added to the pressures.
Elsewhere in the region, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust warned of similarly 'exceptionally long' delays at their hospitals, including the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary's emergency department.
In a tweet on Monday, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are currently experiencing exceptionally long waits in our A&E department and urge you to access it appropriately. Use NHS 111 online or by phone to determine the most appropriate place for your health needs. Help us help you – please share!"
And last week, the North West Ambulance Service also issued an urgent plea, asking members of the public to only call the emergency line if absolutely necessary , with as many as 600 patients waiting for ambulances. Bosses also apologised for delays, as they said the service was extremely stretched across the region.
The Manchester Evening News shared on Monday how, in a leaked internal memo, the North West Ambulance Service - which covers Greater Manchester - warned its staff there will be 'a significant and noticeable difference in the way we operate' during the strike day on Wednesday (December 21).
It says that on Wednesday, 'confirmed' cases of cardiac arrests and 'immediate threats to life' would continue to attract an ambulance response, but if A&E attendance is required 'immediate self-conveyance or taxi conveyance will be advised in all other circumstances'.
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has been approached for comment.
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