A major A&E department is urging people to stay away as it sees high patient numbers continue over the Easter weekend. Royal Bolton Hospital 's A&E continued to be under severe pressure despite urging people to 'think carefully' heading into the Bank Holiday weekend.
People were urged to seek care elsewhere - such as NHS 111 or their GP - unless it was completely necessary. However, a hospital spokesperson confirmed the site remained extremely busy over the weekend, and reiterated the pleas to avoid using the A&E unless absolutely necessary.
Many pharmacies and walk-in centres remained open across Greater Manchester throughout the weekend and GP appointments were made available for those who needed them.
But, people still took to A&E putting increased pressure on services. And while pressures remain high at A&E departments, Greater Manchester's primary care system is also bracing itself for an extremely difficult period ahead. READ MORE:The sea of flowers, football shirts and photos left at the scene of horror crash where two young men died On Thursday (April 14) Damian Bates, a consultant in Bolton 's emergency department, told people that they could face long waits if they were not an emergency.
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