Major Greater Manchester hospital declared 'highest alert level' amid 'immense pressure'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A major Greater Manchester hospital had to declare its 'highest alert level' amid 'immense pressure'. The Royal Bolton Hospital was forced to declare its 'highest alert level' earlier this week to focus on 'safely providing essential services'.

Hospital leaders are pleading with the public to only attend A&E if it's a 'life or limb-threatening emergency'. The hospital declared OPEL 4 - the highest alert level within an NHS hospital which is declared when a hospital is 'unable to deliver comprehensive care' and patient safety is at risk, according to the National Health Executive.

The trust has now, as of October 12, stepped down to the next highest incident level, OPEL 3. READ MORE: Armed police swoop on car and arrest man for 'rape and possession of a firearm' READ MORE: Woman punched in the face by complete stranger on her way to work Francis Andrews, Medical Director at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Earlier this week our services were under immense pressure, which meant we had to declare our highest alert level so that we could focus on safely providing essential services. “Thanks to the incredible work of our staff the pressure has begun to ease, but we continue to deal with some of the effects. “People in Bolton can continue to help us by only attending our Emergency Department if it’s a life or limb-threatening emergency, and if their condition is non-urgent, seeking help through 111.nhs.uk, their GP or local pharmacists. “We know we have asked a lot of our staff and public over recent months, and will likely continue to throughout winter, so would like to thank everyone for their support.” The hospital has said that 'there are a number of things happening that have resulted in us needing to take