Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health, learning disability and autism services to Oldham residents, has been rated 'requires improvement' for community-based mental health services for adults of working age. The Care Quality Commission inspection found issues with staffing levels, training compliance, and building safety. While staff were praised for compassion and professionalism, the trust must address gaps in pharmacy oversight, high vacancy rates, and unfilled shifts. The trust is already implementing improvements through its community transformation programme.
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust has issued an alert stating that A&E departments at Royal Oldham Hospital and three other hospitals it manages are experiencing extremely high demand. The trust warns patients may face longer wait times but emphasises patient safety remains the top priority. The alert, first published earlier this month and confirmed on March 25, advises A&E should only be used for major life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Patients with less urgent issues are directed to use NHS 111, local pharmacies, GPs, or walk-in centres instead. The trust is working with health and social care partners to maintain safe services amid growing demand.
Oldham residents are advised to order repeat prescriptions at least one week before Easter to avoid running out over the long weekend. NHS 111 offers 24/7 medical advice online or by phone, including for children under 5 and those needing interpreters. Pharmacies may have varied opening hours over Easter, with Pharmacy First services available for common conditions like UTIs and sore throats. Urgent dental care is available via the Greater Manchester Dental Helpline, and free NHS urgent eye care is provided through the Urgent Eyecare Service. Mental health support remains open throughout the bank holiday, with NHS 111 Option 2 for urgent help. Dr Manisha Kumar, chief clinical officer at NHS Greater Manchester, urges residents to use the most appropriate service to keep emergency care available for those who need it most.
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 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.
Oldham residents are part of the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, which joins NHS GPs, hospitals, councils, fire and police services, companies, charities, and community groups to provide better connected services. The integrated system works to support those with health issues and act sooner to keep people well and living a good life. Everyone needs different services as they grow up, get on and grow older, and an integrated system of services works better to help families stay well. The partnership includes ten boroughs across Greater Manchester working together to offer improved health and social care.
The Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership has joined NHS services, councils, fire and police services, companies, charities and community groups across all ten boroughs to offer better connected services. The partnership aims to support those with health issues and act sooner to keep people well and living a good life. Services are working together to help residents and their families stay well as they grow up, get on and grow older. The integrated system works better for both patients and the professionals who care for them.
The Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership has launched a unified health and social care system across all ten boroughs, including Oldham. The initiative brings together NHS services, councils, emergency services, charities, and community groups to provide better connected care. The partnership aims to support people with health issues and promote wellbeing through early intervention. Services are designed to adapt to people's changing needs throughout their lives, benefiting both patients and healthcare professionals.