More than 2,000 people had to wait over 12 hours in A&E in Greater Manchester last month, figures show. A total of 122,753 people attended Accident & Emergency departments across the GM region in November, according to data released by the NHS.
Some 2,211 of those had to wait over 12 hours before being admitted to a ward bed. The situation had improved compared to the previous month but the figures have risen dramatically since the beginning of the year.
In October, 2,693 people had to wait more than 12 hours in A&E. In September it was 2,236 people, and in August it was 1,724. Back in January it was 1,169 people.
A total of 70,855 people arrived at A&E in November and waited less than 4 hours to be admitted, discharged or transferred. That works out at 58 per cent of attendees.
The situation in Greater Manchester is reflected across the country. A total of 37,837 people across England had to wait more than 12 hours to be admitted to A&E. That's down from 43,792 in October but still higher than 32,776 in September and 28,756 in August.
Nationally meanwhile, just 68.9 per cent of A&E attendees were admitted within four hours in England. That's up from 69.3 per cent in October.
The target is for at least 95 per cent of patients attending A&E to be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours, but this has not been met nationally since 2015. Nursing staff will take industrial action in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on December 15 and 20, while ambulance workers in England and Wales will take action on December 21.
NHS England said tens of thousands more people got the diagnostic tests and checks they needed in October with over 63,000 more compared to the previous month (just over 2m in October, up from 1.99m in September).
The NHS also saw its highest number of ambulance callouts for serious illness for any November on record, while A&E dealt with more attendances than any previous November.
National clinical director for urgent and emergency care, Professor Julian Redhead, said: "Despite the ongoing pressures on services which are exacerbated by flu hospitalisations, issues in social care meaning we cannot discharge patients who are ready, and record numbers needing A&E, staff have powered through to bring down some of our longest waits for care.
"We have already said we are dealing with a perfect storm of pressures this winter, including increased demand for emergency care, and today announced an expansion of mental health crisis services which will ensure people suffering a mental health crisis get the help they need as quickly as possible, and reduce the chances of a patient needing to go to A&E.
"That is all on top of the measures announced NHS’ winter plan published in October which includes new hubs dedicated to respiratory infections and a falls response service to free up ambulance capacity."
Mark Fisher, chief executive of Greater Manchester Integrated Care, said: "We know winter is a challenging time for the health and care system though the reality is both that there has been very little let up in the pressure all year round, and that we spend a lot of time preparing in advance to ease pressures where we can.
"Our plans this year include opening more beds when possible; a number of programmes with the voluntary sector to support people to stay well at home, maintain independence and give support after a stay in hospital; more capacity in the form of virtual wards; increasing the number of 111 call handlers and the use of additional roles across general practice and other settings.
"The public want to feel reassured that their NHS is here for them this winter and can support them when they are unwell. It is and the public can help and do their bit too. We are urging the public to use the right service – use 111 to guide you if you aren’t sure, take up flu and Covid jabs if eligible and even if fighting fit; and to look after their health this winter.
"As we head into winter, I want to our staff across the health and care system for their ongoing hard work and commitment."
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