The latest stats from NHS England, published last month, reveal that 405,518 patients in Greater Manchester are waiting to start treatment. 

The Northern Care Alliance, the hospital trust which covers our area (Bury, Salford, Oldham and Rochdale) has the third worst rate in the country, with over 126,000 people waiting for treatment. The Manchester hospitals trust is second worst in the country, with 153,000 waiting.

The statistics show that some 53,700 patients have been left waiting at Northern Care Alliance for over 18 weeks after their referral to treatment, while 5,240 have been waiting over a whole year. 

Nationally, the figures show that 6 million people are on NHS waiting lists – a number that has doubled since 2015. This has led to the Liberal Democrats slamming the Conservatives for putting in-fighting ahead of the health crisis the country faces. 

Commenting Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Michael Powell said: said: 

Residents have played their part in protecting the NHS and now they deserve better. At the very least the Government should start the process to help the thousands of people left stranded on huge waiting lists in Bury.

Notes to Editor: 

Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times for incomplete pathways, by provider, November 2021