NHS Greater Manchester says it's providing "53,000 extra GP appointments" this winter

This winter, NHS Greater Manchester is set to provide around 53,000 additional GP appointments for patients thanks to the Winter Surge Hub scheme following its success last winter.

Introduced last year, the Winter Surge Hubs aim to meet seasonal pressures to help GP practices across all ten areas of Greater Manchester, by providing additional appointments between November and March.

Winter weather, particularly cold air, can affect anyone with long-term lung illnesses. During winter, people with lung conditions are much more likely to end up feeling unwell as seasonal triggers like cold weather, colds, coughs, flu, and damp can make it harder to breathe.

Together with a rise in winter illnesses like flu, COVID-19 and Norovirus, the NHS often faces much greater pressure during the winter months – both in the community (including GPs and pharmacy services), and in secondary care in hospitals.

That’s why NHS Greater Manchester, which is responsible for health services across the city-region, has funded for the second year in a row approximately 53,000 extra GP appointments through the Winter Surge Hub schemes. 

As a result of the Hubs last winter, thousands of additional GP appointments took place November 2023 – March 2024 (3,400 a week), by increasing the amount of face to face and telephone appointments available on evenings and weekends.

Making it easier and more convenient for patients to get same-day help for their medical issues and illnesses that don’t require urgent care. Something that is set to happen again this year.

Rob Bellingham, Chief Officer for Commissioning for NHS Greater Manchester said: “We recognise the additional pressures that winter brings, and we always want to do everything we can to support GP practices and the NHS during this really busy time of year.

"That’s why we are pleased to have been able to bring back the Winter Surge Hubs, after their success last year.

“The additional support provided by the Hubs, combined with our Get To Know Where To Go campaign, means that we can make sure that people across the city-region get the care they need more quickly and closer to home when they really need it.”

“We are grateful to all the GP providers and their teams whose hard work contributed to the success of the Winter Surge Hubs last year and have made it possible to establish them again this winter.”

A practice manager said: “Winter access has been great, it has hugely helped our capacity. We have received positive patient feedback and a boost in staff morale to be able to offer increased appointments both in house and out of hours.”

The Winter Surge Hubs are running from November 2024 to March 2025.

During this time, people should continue to contact their GP Practice in their usual way to book GP appointments when they really need them, while also considering whether another service like their local pharmacy or calling NHS 111 may be better suited to helping them.