Local hospitals postpone non-urgent operations as Omicron variant affects staff levels

Hospitals across Greater Manchester are postponing some non-urgent surgery and appointments due to the ‘rising impact’ of Covid.

High and rising levels of staff absence are the main reason for the changes, with around 15% of the Greater Manchester staffing level off either ill with Covid or isolating, the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said.

There are also outbreaks in an increasing number of care homes, which is affecting how people are discharged from hospital, the partnership added.

Patients who will be affected by the changes are being contacted. If you are not contacted, then assume your treatment is continuing as planned. There is no need to contact the hospital or your GP practice for this information.

The postponements are a temporary measure, aimed at impacting the 'fewest number of patients'.

Cancer and urgent care patients – including those due to undergo cardiac surgery, vascular surgery and transplantation – will not be affected. The Christie and Rochdale Infirmary will continue to provide cancer and other urgent surgery as a Covid secure site for Greater Manchester.

Diagnostic services, including endoscopy, and the majority of out-patient services will continue “wherever possible.”

 

 

The partnership says Covid admissions are “rising sharply” (from 126 on 19 December to 359 on 2 January), as are inpatient diagnoses (193 to 738 for the same period).

In some hospitals, more than one in five patients have Covid.

The full list of Greater Manchester hospitals affected are as follows:

• Royal Bolton Hospital
• Fairfield General Hospital
• Manchester Royal Infirmary
• Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
• University Dental Hospital of Manchester
• St Mary’s Hospital
• North Manchester General Hospital
• The Royal Oldham Hospital
• Salford Royal Hospital
• Stepping Hill Hospital
• Tameside General Hospital
• Trafford General Hospital
• Royal Albert Edward Infirmary
• Wrightington Hospital
• Leigh Infirmary
• Wythenshawe Hospital
• Macclesfield District General Hospital

If you are not contacted, then assume your treatment is continuing as planned. There is no need to contact the hospital or your GP practice for this information.

Advice and support

While you Wait is an online resource launched in Greater Manchester to help patients manage their physical and mental wellbeing while waiting for hospital care, by providing information and advice.

The page features resources on how to look after both physical and mental health while waiting for treatments and advice on managing conditions.

Anyone waiting for treatment and can find advice and support on the While you Wait website and the latest publicly available statistics can be found here.