Hospitals Trust urges patients not to travel

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Rochdale Infirmary, is advising patients not to risk travelling to hospital unless in an emergency.

Due to the severe weather conditions and the location and geography of the Infirmary, the Trust is asking patients who are due to attend hospital today for either an outpatient appointment or elective surgery not to travel.

The Trust will contact patients to rearrange their appointment later in the week.

Visitors of family and friends in hospital are also advised not to travel today.

The Trust will continue to focus its attention on providing emergency services at the Infirmary.

Staff have been encouraged to attend work where possible and safe to do so due to the expected increased demand on emergency services and to continue to provide nursing care to people already in hospital. However, staff are advised to take heed of police advice about travel and to check conditions before setting out.

The public are urged to only call 999 in an emergency, where there is a threat to life.

Patients who feel the need to speak to someone at the Trust about their appointment can call the Contact Centre on 0161 778 2233 (and use the call-back facility if busy) or email booking@pat.nhs.uk.

Local NHS healthcare provider, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Community Healthcare is also urging patients with non-essential appointments to stay at home during the severe weather conditions.

Michele Bennion, Associate Director for Clinical Services, said: “Patient safety is paramount so we urge anyone with a non-urgent, routine appointment to stay at home and re-arrange appointments. Services are calling patients directly where possible. We will continue to deliver priority services for our most vulnerable patients with complex needs, such as those who need medication.

The North West Ambulance Service has also issued a warning in light of the weather conditions. A spokesperson said: "We are stringently prioritising all of our 999 calls and despatch our resources to life-threatening cases only.

"We would like to stress the urgency for people to stay indoors unless it is absolutely necessary. The driving conditions are extremely hazardous and we would like to ensure that the risk of injury on the roads is reduced as much as possible. If anyone needs any medical advice, they should contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47."