About While You Wait

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant some operations and procedures have been postponed. The NHS is working hard to get people seen as quickly as possible.

If you (or someone you care for) are waiting on delayed medical care, you are likely to have concerns and questions.

The NHS in Greater Manchester is offering further information and advice, along with handy resources to help you manage your physical and mental wellbeing.

This includes:

How to stay as fit and healthy as possible while you wait for your treatment
Where to find any extra support online
Where to find further information about approximate waiting times at different hospitals
What to do if your condition deteriorates.

Find out more at whileyouwait.org.uk

WAITING TIMES

Waiting times will depend on what treatment you are waiting for and your individual needs.

NHS hospitals and the independent (private) sector hospitals are working together to increase the number of people who can be treated daily. You still may have to wait longer than usual.

The list of people waiting changes daily and it is very hard to tell you how long you will have to wait. However, with our ‘find hospitals page’ you can look up approximate waiting times at your local hospital by:

Using the Find hospitals page
Clicking on ‘Surgical Procedures’ or ‘Department’
Filling in Procedures or Department box
Entering the postcode of the hospital you have been referred to or your own postcode in the Location box.

FITTER BETTER SOONER TOOLKIT

The Royal College of Anaesthetists

Fitter patients who are able to improve their health and activity levels recover from surgery more quickly and with fewer complications. What you do in the time leading up to surgery can have a really big impact on your recovery and long-term health.

he Royal College of Anaesthetists’ Fitter Better Sooner resources will provide you with the information you need to become fitter and better prepared for your operation.

Many medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart, lung and other medical problems, anxiety and mental health) can affect recovery from surgery. It is important to make sure any known conditions are controlled as well as possible ahead of your surgery.

INFORMATION ON LONG-TERM CONDITIONS

If you are living with a long-term condition, managing your lifestyle choices can help prevent flare ups, delay your condition getting worse, improve symptoms and improve your recovery following surgery.

For more information about support to manage your long term condition(s) visit the NHS website.

There is also a huge range of short health videos by clinicians that provide information and advice on how to help manage your long-term condition or prepare for your procedure for example “what is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)” or “How to reduce your blood pressure”

Access more than 600 health information videos here.

Or can also download the app.

There is also information about specific conditions on this website My Health

Your Mental Health

LOOKING AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Learn more

Local Services

Find services local to you

Learn more

Self Care

Keeping yourself well

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Care Navigation

support services in your area and how they can help you.

Learn more

Your Physical Health

WHILE YOU WAIT, DO WHAT YOU CAN TO LOOK AFTER YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH

The information and advice here is aimed at helping you arrive for your appointment in the best possible physical health.

Maintaining and improving your overall wellbeing will also lead to a faster recovery if you require surgery.

Learn more

5 Ways to Wellbeing

Evidence suggests there are five steps we can all take to improve our wellbeing. If you give them a try, you may feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life.

Learn more