Hospital put on alert for admissions surge

STAFF at the Royal Oldham Hospital are on standby after national reports that hospitals are “full to bursting.”

The spotlight fell on 12 NHS trusts where the Dr Foster Hospital Guide found patient deaths were above expected levels.

Pennine Acute Trust, which runs the Royal Oldham Hospital, was not among the 12, but bosses told the Chronicle they have contingency arrangements for winter pressures, and will open additional beds when necessary.

Winter is traditionally a time when hospitals experience a surge in patient admissions.

A spokesperson for the Trust said doctors are looking at ways of speeding treatment by boosting day surgery and reducing overnight stays.