A&E waits of more than 12 hours for bed up by more than a thousand in Greater Manchester

In January, Greater Manchester’s A&E saw nearly 4,400 patients waiting over 12 hours for admission, a steep rise from previous months and the second highest on record. This surge reflects ongoing pressures on the NHS since the pandemic, with January traditionally being a tough month due to high demand and winter illnesses. Meanwhile, across England, over 71,500 patients faced similar waits, marking a significant increase from previous months.

Although emergency care is stretched, there have been some improvements in specific areas, like four-hour waiting times. The NHS is focusing on increasing capacity and improving patient flow, while also urging the public to consider alternative services for urgent care.

On a brighter note, waiting lists for non-urgent care are decreasing, with the number of patients waiting over a year down significantly from previous years. Staff are working overtime under challenging conditions, and their efforts are appreciated as the system continues to cope with winter pressures.

Read the full article at Manchester Evening News