HIGHEST PRESSURE LEVELS IN HOSPITALS

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- By HELENA VESTY

Manchester hospitals are under 'significant duress, according to the region's most senior health leaders, as they have moved 'in and out' of the NHS's highest pressure level in recent days.Hospitals have been 'tipped over' into that highest alert level by a combination of factors, senior NHS sources have told the Manchester Evening News. And as the country approaches another cold snap, national health bosses say the pressure might only continue to rise.

Greater Manchester health leaders confirmed that some of the region's hospitals have moved 'in and out of OPEL 4 over the course of the last few days! OPEL 4 refers to the NHS's operational pressure levels, with level four being declared when a hospital is unable to deliver comprehensive care and patient safety is at risk.