BOLTON hospital bosses will be better prepared to cope with the heavy demands of winter, even though new government cash will not arrive in time to help.

Staff at the Royal Bolton Hospital are bracing themselves for the annual winter onslaught.

NHS Trusts across the country are warning this will be a challenging winter for the health service despite advanced planning.

During recent winters, Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust has seen a continuing rise in the number of emergency admissions which is putting increasing pressure on services.

And extra government cash to improve front line services to cope with seasonal demand will not filter into the system until next year.

Managers at Bolton, however, believe they have put in place a series of measures which will stave off the worse effects of winter pressures.

Steps include extended operating hours and extra staffing of the bed bureau. This body streamlines the admission of patients to hospitals.

The Trust has also introduced a number of beds into the main hospital site are for patients who need assessment and observation.

There are also more staff in occupational therapy, physiotherapy and portering, all of which help to reduce delays in assessment, discharge and transfer.

These are alongside previous measures such as the introduction of the medical assessment unit, the appointment of a bed manager, liaison with the rapid response team and setting out discharge lounges.

In Bolton, the Hospitals Trust holds regular meetings to address potential problems and liaises closely with neighbouring trusts, the health authority and local GPs.

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