Rochdale 999 cases head to Oldham
Date published: 25 March 2011
EMERGENCY patients from outside the borough will be diverted to the Royal Oldham Hospital for treatment after Rochdale Infirmary’s accident and emergency department closes on April 4.
A new 24/7 Urgent Care Centre will open on the same day at the Infirmary to replace the current A&E department and walk-in centre based at the site.
Patients with minor injuries or illness will be treated in Rochdale.
However, all emergency cases involving severe injury or illness, or those needing 999 emergency ambulances, such as heart attack or stroke patients, will be taken to neighbouring A&E departments in Oldham, Bury, North Manchester or other specialist hospitals.
Dr Anton Sinniah, consultant physician and clinical director in unscheduled care for Rochdale Infirmary, said: “From April 4, A&E services will no longer be provided at Rochdale Infirmary.
“This means the hospital will not be accepting emergency ambulances or be treating people with severe injury or illness.
“However, the new Urgent Care Centre at the Infirmary will be open 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week and provide excellent services for those patients who present with minor injuries and illness, with only the most serious cases needing to go to neighbouring A&E departments or specialist hospitals.”
The Infirmary will also provide a new 12-bed overnight and short stay Clinical Assessment Unit where patients will be assessed, observed and treated for up to a maximum of 48 hours.
