Oldham hospital A&E extremely busy longer wait times

Royal Oldham Hospital's A&E department is facing extreme pressure with patients being warned to expect longer wait times. The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital along with three others in the region, has issued an urgent alert about 'extremely high demand' across all four A&E departments.

The trust is asking residents to only use A&E for major, life-threatening emergencies and to seek alternative care for minor issues. This includes using NHS 111, visiting local pharmacies, or seeing a GP or walk-in centre instead.

The alert, first published earlier this month and confirmed again on March 25, comes as the trust works with health and social care partners to manage the growing demand. Patient safety remains the top priority despite the pressure on services.

For Oldham residents, this means potentially significant delays if you need emergency care. The trust is asking for patience and understanding while they work to maintain safe services during this busy period.