Most Greater Manchester hospitals ‘could exceed critical care capacity soon’

The internal NHS document, leaked to The Independent, shows a worst case scenario of 371 patients needing intensive care beds by November 30.

The figure would be 100 more than the current capacity, although hospitals are able to increase the number of intensive care beds they have in use.

According to the report, most of Greater Manchester’s hospital trusts, apart from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), had breached 90 per cent of their intensive care capacity and were due to exceed full capacity next week.

But it said there had been a fall in admissions for MFT in the most recent week, indicating the curve may flatten.

The report said it aimed to predict bed demand from Covid-19 patients “in order to optimise usage of beds across the region and maintain as much business-as-usual as possible”.

A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We are seeing increased admissions, increasing numbers of people in general hospital beds with Covid-19 and more people in HDU/ITU with Covid-19.

“However, it is important to say firstly that we are able to increase the number of HDU/ITU beds significantly above the ‘normal’ number if we need to.

“Secondly, that our hospitals are working together across Greater Manchester to ensure there is hospital care for those who need it anywhere in the city region, and thirdly, that we are working collectively to minimise the risk of having to defer people’s treatment and operations.

“We also have the ability to use the newly opened NHS Nightingale North West should that be needed.

“We continue to do all we can to look after and care for people in Greater Manchester, though we would stress that everyone has a role to play.

“It’s essential that we all follow the guidance – washing our hands regularly, maintaining social distancing and wearing face coverings when needed.

“If we are to slow the spread of the virus, it is essential that we all work together to protect ourselves and our communities.”

This week, the Nightingale Hospital for the North West, in the Manchester Central conference centre, reopened for non-Covid patients to receive support including therapy and social care assessments before being discharged.

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