‘We have 102 patients in the emergency department – more than twice the number it is staffed for’

SENIOR NHS FIGURES TELL OF CRISIS ENGULFING SERVICE

- HELENA VESTY

SENIOR NHS figures from A&Es across Greater Manchester have warned emergency departments are 'gridlocked' as hospital beds on wards are dangerously scarce.

The shortage has led to patients being forced to wait hours on trolleys in the corridors of A&Es.

Sources told the M.E.N. one person in their 90s had to wait more than 25 hours for a bed. Another person, in their late 80s was waiting more than 21 hours. And sources said at one point, they had 20 patients waiting more than eight hours.

The warnings come after junior doctors embarked on a six-day strike - the longest period of industrial action the NHS has ever seen. Multiple sources told the M.E.N. the strikes are not the cause of the chaos.

Instead, having consultants covering for more junior members of staff is a significant benefit when hospitals are coping with high demand - as they are more experienced decision-makers and have the authority to discharge people more quickly when they are ready to go home.

Yet, even with consultant doctors in control, sources say there will be excess deaths' due to spiralling waits for beds, saying they 'can't keep people safe any more.'

The first weeks of January, every year, are the most difficult for the NHS as medics see a rise in people who delayed seeking help over the festive period, as well as increased pressure from winter viruses. This has been seriously exacerbated by a severe shortage of beds on wards meaning people coming through the doors of A&E and needing to be admitted are forced to remain on trolleys, often in corridors.

The M.E.N. has spoken to multiple NHS sources across the region's hospitals and trusts. Health services in Bolton, Wigan and Salford are among those struggling the most.