An NHS boss has warned Stockport’s health system ‘can't hide behind Covid’ as waiting lists for vital treatment look set to ‘get worse before they get better’.
Dr Cath Munro, clinical chair of Stockport CCG, told a governing body meeting that, while Omicron had taken its toll, there were also long-standing issues that needed to be addressed.
A report to the board noted a ‘deterioration’ in waiting times, due to the challenge of fully rolling out the vaccination programme before the end of 2021, combined with the impact of Omicron. READ MORE : Covid hospitalisations continue to fall across Greater Manchester as infection rates plummet Health chiefs were also told that staff sickness - both seasonal and Covid-related - was contributing to the problem.
The latest figures, for November, show the highest number of long waiters were in general surgery, gastroenterology and ENT [ear, nose and throat].
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk