NHS facing 'perfect storm' as ambulances and junior doctors under strain

Hospitals in Greater Manchester are facing a "perfect storm'' that will heap on the pressure in the busy winter period, according to some of the region's senior and junior medics.

The head of the North West Ambulance Service is warning the level of 999 calls is showing no signs of reducing.

Director of Operations, Derek Cartwright is urging people to be more responsible during the busy winter period.

The Trust says it is dealing with a 25 per cent increase in emergency calls and is now facing the added challenges the winter season can bring - adverse weather, the rise in callouts to Christmas party revellers and New Year's Eve.

Meanwhile possible industrial action by junior doctors in Greater Manchester is "`very, very worrying'' at this time of the year " Dr Mark Holland, the president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said.

Medics staged a rally in Manchester city centre demanding better pay and conditions or they will walk out in protest.

Dr Holland said; "The question this winter is how resilient we will be and what will be the tipping point. And that is the unknown factor which is very, very worrying.''

He said hospitals have not had the traditional quieter summer period which enables them to catch up after the winter.

"You have got the perfect storm. You have got junior doctors in dispute with the Government, we cannot recruit into all of our training posts and there are lots of consultant posts unfilled.

"Last winter we were pushed to the brink. All of these things coming together, it only needs one thing to tip over and you will get a domino effect.''