Dr Michael Gregory, Regional Medical Director for NHS England in the North West, said: “This period of industrial action has come at a challenging time for the NHS as we manage winter pressures in the run up to Christmas. “Although services are busy, our staff are working extremely hard to care for as many patients […]

The NHS in the North West is urging people to use services wisely during the latest period of industrial action by resident doctors starting tomorrow (Wednesday 17 December 2025), as the NHS faces record-breaking demand for services. The five-day walk out by resident doctors will have a significant impact on NHS services with staff already managing […]

With the Christmas and New Year fast approaching, Karen O’Brien, Chief Pharmacist for NHS England in the North West is reminding people to order their repeat prescriptions in good time to avoid running out of essential medication during the festive period.   Repeat prescriptions due to run out in the days over the Christmas and New Year will need to be ordered by Monday 15 […]

The latest flu hospitalisation data has been published this morning nationally.  In the North West there has been a 36.6% increase in the number of people in hospital with flu: Data up to 30/11 – 295 people on average in hospital with flu Data up to 7/12 – 403 people on average in hospital with […]

THE NHS in the North West is facing an unprecedented flu wave this winter with latest data showing an average of 295* people were in hospital last week with flu, that’s more than double the number from the same week last year. NHS bosses in the region are urging eligible people to come forward for […]

People in the North West are being urged to use the right NHS service for their needs as new data show thousands have attended A&E for minor health concerns such as sore throats. Nationally, there were more than 200,000 A&E attendances last winter for non-emergency conditions that could have been dealt with elsewhere – including […]

Tens of thousands more people in the North West are using the NHS 111 service as winter approaches, amid an early flu peak and colder temperatures. Data from North West Ambulance Service shows 182,022 calls were made to the service in October – more than 31,000 additional calls compared to October last year. NHS 111 […]

NHS TEAMS across the North West are ramping up the winter flu vaccination offer in the countdown to Christmas, with supermarkets, shopping centres, community centres and even a football ground hosting vaccination buses across the region. The vaccination drive kicks off this weekend as those eligible for their free flu jab are urged to get […]

Today is Carers Rights Day, and the NHS in the North West is encouraging people to know their rights and understand what they’re entitled to when they begin to provide care for a family member, friend or neighbour, who might have a disability, illness, mental health condition or are elderly. Lots of carers are unpaid […]

Following five days of industrial action by resident doctors, and as temperatures drop across the North West and pressures rise on the NHS, the public is being urged to continue using services wisely and consider self-care options where appropriate. With cold weather and winter illnesses such as flu increasing pressure on our hospitals, people are […]