Praise for NHS staff who worked through the night to save lives in the Manchester Arena bomb attack

The ‘large scale response’ led to more than 60 ambulances with crews of paramedics and doctors arriving to treat victims of the explosion and ferry people to hospital.

Members of the public also stepped in to help with blankets, first-aid and tea.

A total of 59 patients were treated and taken to hospital, and approximately 60 ‘walking wounded’ were also treated by crews but did not go to hospital.

Royal Bolton Hospital was put on major incident alert 11pm.

It received 15 casualties, eight by ambulance, but none were reported to be suffering from life threatening injuries.

Dr Jackie Bene, chief executive, said: “We plan for incidents such as this in the hopes that we never have to put those plans into action.

“Our thoughts are very much with those people affected by this dreadful event. I would also like to thank our staff and colleagues in the emergency services for their tireless work last night.”

The flags at Bolton were also lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) was made aware of the incident at 10.46pm, and soon declared it a major incident.

Along with ambulance crews, hazardous area response teams, consultant paramedics, advanced paramedics and doctors were also on the scene.

Crews were also supported by teams from the West Midlands, Wales, Yorkshire and East Midlands ambulance services.

At a press conference yesterday afternoon outside of Manchester Royal Infirmary tributes were paid to NHS staff for their response to the attack as it was revealed emergency services have tested for a similar situation.

David Radcliffe, medical director for NWAS said that staff acted in a ‘calm and collected’ manner despite the terrible circumstances.

Jon Rouse, chief officer of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, added that a situation ‘not that dissimilar’ to the attack had been practised.

Mr Rouse also spoke of the condition of some of the patients.

He said: “There are a number of patients with very, very serious injuries. People are going to be in hospital for some time.”

He also paid tribute to the community for showing some of the best aspects of Manchester in the response and the support offered from NHS trusts around the country. Mr Rouse added: “We have been overwhelmed by offers of support from other areas of the country. People have just not been able to do enough.”

In her official statement, the Queen also thanked all the members of the emergency services for responding with “professionalism and care”.

NWAS chief executive Derek Cartwright offered sincere condolences to those who lost loved ones and wished those in hospital a speedy and full recovery. He said: “Our staff worked tirelessly throughout the night to co-ordinate the large scale response with 60 ambulances attending the horrifying scene in the city. We are extremely proud of the professional way our staff responded and treated those involved.

“No matter how much we train our staff for incidents such as this, nothing can prepare you for the shock and sadness when tragedies like this occur. This is, indeed, a very sad time for Manchester.

“Finally, the co-operation of the public has been very gratefully received. We had many messages throughout the night from people volunteering their services, blankets, first-aid skills and tea. It was extremely heart-warming to receive such messages and demonstrates how a city can pull together during these difficult times.”

A remaining nine people were taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary, six to Wythenshawe, 12 to Manchester’s Children, six to Stepping Hill seven to Oldham, five to North Manchester, and six to Salford Royal.

People not involved in the incident but in need of hospital assistance were asked to only attend A&E if they were in serious need of care.

A&E departments remained open but there was a warning after hospitals took in a major number of casualties following the explosion. Scheduled outpatient and inpatient appointments carried on as normal.

Meanwhile, those looking to donate blood have been asked not to inundate NHS services.

Rumours circulated on social media about shortages of blood with calls for people to donate, but Jane Green, assistant director at NHS Blood and Transplant moved to dismiss the fears while praising those who donated.

She said that at no point was there a shortage to supplies but did urge people to carry on donating.

Give Blood NHS registrations were closed yesterday due to a high response following Monday night’s events. Dr Chris Brookes, chief medical officer on behalf of Salford Royal and Pennine Acute Hospitals said: “We can confirm that our staff across our Emergency Departments at Salford Royal, North Manchester General, The Royal Oldham Hospital and Fairfield General Hospital in Bury have treated a number of casualties brought by ambulance and also those who have self-presented following last night’s incident at Manchester Arena as part of a Greater Manchester major emergency response. said: “I would like to thank our staff for their response and professionalism in dealing with this incident. Our thoughts and condolences are with those families who have sadly lost loved ones and who have been injured and affected by this incident.”

“Greater Manchester Police has made an emergency number available for anyone concerned about loved ones or friends or anyone who may have been in the area. The number is Call 0800 096 0095 for information about loved ones, he said.

The public can also follow @gmpolice on Twitter for updates.”

People worried about missing relatives have been advised not to contact the hospitals, but instead call 0161 856 9400.