A hospital has been put on 'black alert' after winter pressures resulted in soaring demand for its A&E department.
The Royal Bolton Hospital in Greater Manchester has confirmed that it issued a 'black alert' status - also known internally as OPEL 4 - on Monday.
The status is declared when a hospital is “unable to deliver comprehensive care” and patient safety is at risk, reports the Manchester Evening News .
A spokesperson for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust confirmed to the newspaper that the hospital remains on a black alert.
Rae Wheatcroft, deputy chief operating officer, said: "We are currently experiencing heightened pressure across the trust.
"As we have moved into the winter months there have been times when we have been busier than we would have expected across the hospital, which has led to us being at black on our internal escalation status.
"Our top priority at all times is patient safety, and we are working hard to ensure that everyone who needs a bed is admitted and treated as quickly as possible."
Patients are not being turned away from Bolton's A&E unit, a spokeswoman added.
A&E waiting times and associated data has not been published by hospital trusts or NHS England in the run up to the general election on Thursday.
People are advised to only attend A&E departments in 'genuine emergencies', or asked to contact the NHS 111 number.
A Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership spokesperson said: "A&E departments at hospitals across Great Manchester had an extremely busy weekend.
"In order to cope with the high demand, the level of attendance and the length of waits at all our A&E departments are monitored constantly. This means the best use can be made of all available resources.
"Our staff are working extremely hard as we enter the most intense period of winter. However, we ask that the public help too and only go to A&E if necessary. Anyone who is unsure of the right place to get treatment should ring the NHS 111 phone line.
"Some seasonal pressure is also due to outbreaks of both flu and the norovirus. Everyone should practice good personal hygiene to stay well - washing hands thoroughly, particularly after using the toilet and preparing food, is the best way to stop the spread of viruses.
"If you are in an at-risk group please make sure you have had the flu vaccination and if you’re the parent of a young child make sure they’re vaccinated too. The vaccination is free and could save you from a hospital visit this winter."
