Publish date: 9 December 2021

Across Tameside and Glossop we are working hard to return our services to the levels we saw before the pandemic began. We understand that this is a worrying and frustrating time for many people.

A wide range of work is underway to reduce waiting times and provide support for patients who are waiting for operations, surgery, and hospital appointments.

Greater Manchester was one of the areas hardest hit by Coronavirus in the country and this has impacted the speed of recovery, with elective (planned) care resuming later than in other places.

The number of people waiting to start treatment in Greater Manchester is increasing, though the number of people waiting over 52 weeks has reduced.

We are beginning to improve the backlog of patients waiting for elective surgery in Tameside and Glossop. We are doing everything we can to reduce the longest waiting lists by prioritising those with the greatest need and want to ensure that patients are supported to stay physically and mentally well while they wait.

In order to improve the situation, reduce the amount of time people are waiting for treatment, and to support people while they wait, we have introduced a range of initiatives across Greater Manchester. One of these is a new website called While You Wait, https://whileyouwait.org.uk/ which is a new resource that is helping patients manage their physical and mental wellbeing while waiting for hospital care by providing information and advice. For more information about the work going on across GM visit the CCG’s website.

Please be assured that we will continue to work hard to treat as many patients as possible during this time to reduce the backlog.