What the latest NHS figures reveal about the gravity of the winter health crisis in Greater Manchester

Hospitals across Greater Manchester continue to report high demand on resources with reduced numbers of beds available, according to the latest figures.

As of 13 January 2023, hospital bed occupancy in Greater Manchester is around 97%, with 11% of beds occupied with Covid-positive patients. There are 354 people in ‘general and acute’ hospital beds with flu and 22 in ‘critical care’ beds.

The latest NHS England figures show that total emergency admissions for Northern Care Alliance hospitals were higher than any other NHS trust in the north west at 8,555 whilst hospitals across the region continue to report high demand.

However, the number of patients waiting more than four or 12 hours for a bed were some of the lowest in the region.

Figures for December 2022 show nine percent of Northern Care Alliance patients admitted to A&E spent longer than 12 hours waiting for a bed, a similar figure to Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, and Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.

Patients waiting more than four hours were also one of the lowest in the north west, with 32% at Northern Care Alliance Hospitals. 

The median figures for all north west NHS trusts were 16% of patients admitted to A&E waited longer than 12 hours and 36.5% of patients waited over four hours.

The only north west NHS trusts with fewer patients waiting over 12 hours for a bed that same month were Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS foundation trusts each 3%.

No patients were left waiting longer than 12 hours for a bed under St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which also counted just 8% of patients waiting more than four hours

And no patients were left waiting longer than four hours at the Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, as well as specialist NHS trusts including the Christie.

However, East Cheshire had the most, with 52% of patients waiting longer than 12 hours and 69% waiting more than four.

Across England, 11% of emergency admissions face waiting over 12 hours with 33% of patients waiting over four.

Nationally, 54,532 patients were delayed for 12 hours or more from decision to admit to admission, the highest number of 12-hour waits on record. This is 320% higher than December 2021 and 2,223% higher than December 2019.

Four-hour performance at major Emergency Departments was 49.6%, the worst four-hour performance on record, whilst delays to admission stood at 32.9%, this is the second highest on record.

Mark Fisher, chief executive, NHS Greater Manchester said: “All aspects of the NHS are still experiencing immense pressure. We are seeing a reduced number of beds available in our hospitals, increased demand for GP appointments and staffing pressures for pharmacies and dental practices. Despite the challenges, staff across the system are working exceptionally hard to provide quality care to the public during a challenging time. 

“It’s important that the public know that the NHS is there for them when they are unwell, particularly with more strike action planned for the coming week. The best way to help us cope with this pressure and ensure you are treated as quickly as possible, is to consider which NHS service is best for you. Please continue to make use of NHS 111 online, and only attend A&E and contact 999 in a genuine emergency, particularly on days of industrial action, so that urgent care resources can be given to those who need it.

“Additionally, as cases of flu this year remain high, we can keep more people out of hospital by ensuring that those who are eligible come forward for their vaccine. We have delivered 851,676 flu vaccines in Greater Manchester so far this winter. Please do not underestimate how serious flu can be, particularly to those who are vulnerable, and get the vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

Dr Adrian Boyle, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, described the national figures as “truly shocking”, blaming “a decade of underfunding, under-resourcing, and a failure to fulfil workforce pledges.”

Adding that these problems are “fixable” he also welcomed the recent initiatives to free up beds.
 

Read more: Northern Care Alliance to trial moving dementia patients to specialised hubs to ease NHS pressurePublished: 12 January 2023

He said: “December’s performance figures are truly shocking, more than 50% of all patients facing waits over four hours and nearly 55,000 patients facing 12-hour waits from the decision to admit. 12-hour waits from decision to admit obfuscate the truth and are only the tip of the iceberg, we know the reality is far worse. We know that the scale of long-waiting times for Emergency Care is causing harm to patients and is associated with patient deaths.

“It is imperative that we improve flow throughout our hospitals and reduce exit block. This can only be achieved by discharging patients in a timely way. We welcome NHS England’s efforts to free up the 13,000 beds taken up by patients who are medically fit for discharge each day and the government’s plan to buy extra care home beds.

“We also welcome the money to help hospitals to reduce ambulance hand over delays, but this must spent wisely, building tents and horse box like ambulance receiving units outside Emergency Departments is the wrong intervention.”

Dr Boyle also warned it “is wrong to expect health workers to burn themselves out and stretch themselves” adding: “This must be and can be prevented, we cannot lose our highly competent, highly trained excellent staff. We want to keep them in their roles in Emergency Care and the wider health service, but they need to feel valued, supported and heard.”