Summary
This is the eleventh weekly winter briefing produced by NHS Greater Manchester to update stakeholders on how services are performing and how we work together to manage demand and provide care and support to the public.
Each week, the primary care data is updated along with the statement from Mark Fisher, chief executive of NHS Greater Manchester.
As of Friday 9 February, 2024 when the eleventh winter briefing was published, all services continue to be very busy, but pressures in the acute system has lifted a little.
Primary care is facing increased demand. Weather warnings are in place, and are being monitored to help reduce any impact on health and care services where possible.
The weekly briefing, produced by NHS Greater Manchester, aims to update stakeholders on how services are performing and how we work together to manage demand and provide care and support to the public.
An investment of approximately £2million has been made into additional primary care services this winter, such as expanding the community urgent eye service, urgent dental care, minor ailment schemes at local pharmacies and GP surge hubs to provide more appointments.
Primary care data
There are approximately 1,800 primary care providers, with a workforce of around 22,000.
We recently launched our blueprint for primary care to improve access to GPs, dentists, optometrists, and pharmacists.
- Dentistry – of 233 practices reporting, 30% of dental practices are feeling a significant or very significant increase in demand, with a further 22% of practices facing extreme demand.
- General practice – of 275 practices reporting, 30% of GP practices are feeling a significant or very significant increase in demand, with a further 2% of practices facing extreme demand.
- Optometry – of 84 practices reporting, 7% of optical sites are feeling a significant or very significant increase in demand, with a further 2% of practices facing extreme demand.
- Pharmacy – of 120 pharmacies reporting, 25% of sites are feeling significantly challenged and 7% are feeling challenged but coping.
Providers across all primary care disciplines are encouraged to submit a weekly sit rep, noting areas of pressure. This is also known as a ‘pulse check’.
Work is underway to encourage more practices to use the pulse check so that support can be provided where appropriate.
Providers can access support by visiting the primary care sitrep support page on the GMPCB website.
On Friday 9 February, 2024, Mark Fisher, chief executive of NHS Greater Manchester said: “While pressure has eased a little bit this week across our hospitals, we are still in winter, and expecting some colder weather to impact services. We would encourage people to look after themselves in bad weather by keeping warm, wearing layers, being careful when it’s wet and icy and looking out for loved ones.
“During periods of colder weather, it is important to check in on family, friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the colder temperatures that can have a serious impact on health. Keep in touch with them and ask if they need any practical help such as stocking up on food and medicine.
“If you need help urgently or you are worried about someone else’s health but aren’t sure about which service you need, NHS 111, either online or on the phone, will ensure you get the right care and treatment.”
