Summary
This is the tenth 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.
Attendances remain high across the system and several hospital trusts are seeing high numbers in emergency departments, but as of Friday, 2 February when the weekly briefing was published there had been an improvement.
Ambulance turnaround remains challenged, however is improved.
All community services remain busy and are seeing significant demand.
This 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 21% of practices facing extreme demand.
- General practice – of 275 practices reporting, 29% of GP practices are feeling a significant or very significant increase in demand, with a further 3% 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 118 pharmacies reporting, 25% of sites are feeling significantly challenged and 8% 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, 2 February 2024, Mark Fisher, chief executive of NHS Greater Manchester said: “All services remain busy across the NHS in Greater Manchester and staff are working hard to manage sustained demand.
“You can get support for urgent medical worries by going to NHS 111 online. This should also be your first port of call if you’re unsure what to do.
“Don’t forget GPs and pharmacies can also help. Speak to a pharmacist for advice on medicines or common problems like coughs, colds, earaches, and advice on your medicine.
“Please continue to come forward for your free flu jab if eligible.”
