Saddleworth councillors Helen Bishop and Sam Al-Hamdani are pushing for a new health centre in the area, meeting with local NHS teams to advance plans. The councillors are lobbying for completion of a promised business case that would enable funding identification for construction. The next critical step is RIBA stage 3, which will transform concepts into formal designs with cost assessments. Cllr Bishop emphasized the need for accessible services like blood testing locally rather than requiring residents to travel to Chadderton or Failsworth. Cllr Al-Hamdani noted that until costs are known, site feasibility cannot be determined, though the former Saddleworth School site remains a potential option. Both councillors stressed their commitment to bringing health services to the heart of Saddleworth as quickly as possible.
New FOI data shows Northern Care Alliance NHS Trust, which runs Royal Oldham Hospital, saw 9,608 patients wait 24 hours or more in A&E during 2025, up 25% from 7,651 the previous year. The longest wait was 146 hours (6.1 days). Councillor Howard Sykes, who requested the data, called the situation 'spiralling out of control' and urged government action, including a wait time guarantee. The trust declined to comment. Nationally, only Liverpool's University Hospital trust had worse figures. The Department of Health said winter preparations have improved most A&E times but acknowledged 'a long way to go' to cut the longest waits.
NHS Greater Manchester staff have issued winter health advice for Oldham residents, recommending checking prescriptions seven days in advance, using NHS 111 for non-emergency issues, and looking in on vulnerable neighbours. Chief pharmacist Kenny Li advises keeping a stocked medicine cabinet with basics like paracetamol and ibuprofen. Mental health director Sandeep Ranote highlights winter isolation risks and recommends calling NHS 111 (option 2) for support. Clinical specialist Laura Jones suggests daily movement and removing home trip hazards. District nurse Rachel Murphy encourages checking on older neighbours with practical help like shopping. Emergency department matron HumaWaheed notes NHS 111 offers 24/7 multilingual support including British Sign Language. The Winterwise Guide provides benefits information and warm space locations, while Independent Age offers free helpline...
A free half-day asthma event for teachers and school staff will take place in Manchester on February 12, 2026. NHS clinicians will provide training on supporting children with asthma, potentially improving attendance and reducing illness at school. The event, open to education and health professionals, will launch Greater Manchester's first asthma guide for schools. It runs from 9:30am to 12:30pm at the British Muslim Heritage Centre on College Road, followed by a networking lunch.
NHS Greater Manchester has agreed to standardise IVF treatment across all ten boroughs from 1st April 2026. The new policy will offer one NHS-funded IVF cycle to eligible women aged 39 and under, with a second attempt only if the first cycle is cancelled or abandoned. This replaces the current postcode lottery system where people receive between one and three cycles depending on their location. The decision follows a six-week public consultation in June-July 2025 with over 2,200 participants, though most respondents preferred two or more cycles. The policy aims to remove unfair variation across Greater Manchester and align with most areas of England.
NHS Greater Manchester is implementing a new operating model from 1 April 2026 to deliver the NHS 10 Year Plan. The model focuses on three strategic shifts: treatment to prevention, hospital to community care, and analogue to digital services. The plan aims to keep people well, move care closer to home through joined-up services, and use technology and data to make healthcare smarter and faster. The operating model will clarify roles and responsibilities of local and central teams to improve outcomes, reduce duplication and make better use of resources. The model was shaped by feedback from colleagues and stakeholders.
The NHS has launched a campaign to raise awareness of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across England. These specialist services provide free care and support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused at any time in their life. SARCs are available 24/7 and offer crisis care, medical examinations, emergency contraception, STI testing, and access to independent sexual violence advisors. Survivors can access help without speaking to police or making a report. Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Greater Manchester provides forensic, counselling and aftercare services to men, women and children, regardless of when the assault occurred.
A GP surgery in Shaw is changing how patients order prescriptions from May 1, requiring online ordering through Patient Access, NHS app, or the practice website. The Oak Gables Partnership at Shaw and Crompton Medical Centre announced that patients can no longer order through pharmacies or by phone. The practice says this is a national NHS England initiative and they are contacting vulnerable patients individually. A spokesperson stated they will not leave any patients behind and are holding NHS App education sessions. Many community members expressed concern that elderly patients who cannot use computers or the internet will struggle with the new system.
Royal Oldham Hospital plans to relocate its Victoria Breast Unit to North Manchester General Hospital as part of a £1.4 million overhaul to address severe A&E overcrowding. The emergency department recorded over 73,000 visits between June and December 2025, making it Greater Manchester's busiest. The move aims to create space for an expanded urgent treatment centre. The Care Quality Commission ordered rapid improvements last year after inspections revealed systemic problems. Details on relocation timeline and patient disruption remain unclear. The proposal will be debated at an upcoming Oldham health scrutiny meeting.