By Helena Vesty

Copyright manchestereveningnews

Greater Manchester’s NHS has issued urgent advice to the region’s hospital patients today. The NHS is urging the public to only use A&E in emergencies after a stabbing at a Manchester synagogue. But if people have booked appointments at hospital today (October 2), they should attend as planned unless contacted to be informed otherwise. It comes after many of Greater Manchester’s major hospitals were ‘on lockdown’ and have declared a major incident after a stabbing at a Manchester synagogue this morning. Salford Royal, Fairfield General, Rochdale Infirmary, and the Royal Oldham hospitals were all ‘on lockdown’ after the incident, though that is understood to have now been lifted. Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here Greater Manchester Police says five members of the public were injured in the incident. Three of those people remain in a serious condition. Two people have tragically died. The suspect was also shot dead, it is understood. Now, a statement has come from NHS Greater Manchester, which runs the health services for the entire region. A spokesperson for NHS Greater Manchester told the Manchester Evening News : “We are aware of the incident currently unfolding in Crumpsall and are actively supporting the multi-agency response led by Greater Manchester Police and other emergency services. “Our priority is to ensure the safety and care of patients and staff across the region, and we are working closely with partners to manage any impact on local hospitals and emergency departments. “We urge the public to only attend Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments if your condition is urgent or life-threatening. This will help us prioritise care for those most in need and ensure emergency teams can respond effectively to this incident. “If you are unsure about which service to use, please contact NHS 111 online or by phone for guidance.” In an update issued a few minutes later, the NHS added: “If people have an appointment at hospital, they should attend as planned unless they are contacted.” Salford Royal, Fairfield General, Rochdale Infirmary, and the Royal Oldham hospitals were all ‘on lockdown’ after the incident, though that is understood to have been lifted as of 12.45pm. An internal note sent at 11.18am by the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospitals, was titled ‘Greater Manchester major incident declared – lockdown of our sites’. The note, seen by the Manchester Evening News , read: “Please be advised that all our sites have been asked to immediately lock down following the declaration of a major incident within Greater Manchester. “We have been informed that emergency services are at the scene of an incident within Manchester. We will share further details as these become available.” The major incidents declared by GMP and North West Ambulance Service trigger a major incident within NCA hospitals, according to senior sources inside the trust. As the lockdown was in place, one patient inside Fairfield General told the M.E.N. that staff announced that security are now staffing the doors. No one was being allowed inside or out as the lockdown continues and the ‘doors are sealed’, according to the eyewitness. Those with outpatient appointments were being turned away at the door at the Royal Oldham, said another patient. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE The M.E.N. understands that security has been stepping up inside the Manchester hospitals as well, but there was no lockdown in place. GMP have declared the incident as PLATO, which means terrorism could be involved, but it is not yet confirmed. The incident has unfolded during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Mayor Andy Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester people had gathered for a service outside Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue. He said police were initially called at 9.31am after reports a man was stabbed. Firearms officers were deployed at 9.34am. A major incident was declared at 9.37am. For updates as we get them on this breaking incident, follow our live blog here.