Various health boards in Wales have issued advice and warnings to members of the public as hospital sites feel the strain in the first two weeks of January
The Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, one of the hospitals managed by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board(Image: Copyright Unknown)
Health boards across Wales are warning people of the “extreme pressures” their hospital sites are currently under, with fears that the inclement weather brought about by Storm Goretti could affect NHS staff’s ability to get to work and cause even greater delays for patients.
Hywel Dda University Health Board has issued an appeal to patients and visitors on three occasions this week (since Sunday, January 4), saying that “emergency departments continue to be under significant pressure”. In particular the health board referenced Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen.
A spokesperson for the health board said: “If you have a relative or loved one in hospital who is well enough to go home, but is waiting to be discharged with homecare and community health support, you may be able to help them to get home more quickly if you and your family are in a position to support them at home.” Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
The health board also asked people to use different points of care if they are suffering from minor injuries and ailments, although reiterated that members of the public should always call 999 in a “serious or life-threatening emergency”.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, Swansea Bay University Health Board, which manages hospitals including Morriston and Singleton, declared a Business Continuity Incident (BCI) – the highest level of operational escalation in NHS Wales – as services face exceptional pressure due to a critical shortage of available beds.
A Business Continuity Incident is declared when a health board is under severe and sustained pressure and normal ways of working are no longer sufficient to maintain safe patient flow.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which operates hospitals in Newport, Cwmbran, Abergavenny and Ystrad Mynach, is currently operating on at a “level 4 escalation status” which is “impacting the flow of patients through our hospitals”.
It does, however, have a continuity plan in place should staff struggle to reach work due to the stormy weather.
A spokesperson for the health board said: “Our services are also facing the same extreme pressures that are being reported across Wales and the UK, with high numbers of winter viruses spreading throughout our communities and resulting in large volumes of patients presenting to our hospitals with respiratory illnesses, particularly flu.
“We are currently operating at a level 4 escalation status, with high demand prevalent across our entire system – unfortunately causing long waits for some of our services and impacting the flow of patients through our hospitals.
“In the event of any adverse weather, we have a number of business continuity plans in place to ensure we can continue to provide safe care and protect our patients and staff.
“We would also urge our residents to look after each other and to check in on their vulnerable relatives, neighbours and friends to ensure they have everything they need – checking they are well could keep them safe in adverse weather and help them avoid a hospital admission over winter.”
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, which runs hospital sites in Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend among other sites in east Wales, is asking people to only attend its hospitals in an emergency.
A spokesperson for the hospital said: “We are currently experiencing significant and sustained pressure across our hospital sites, which is having an impact on all of our emergency departments.
“Adverse weather conditions is likely to add further pressure to the system and we are encouraging all patients to only attend the department in an emergency and to consider all healthcare options available to you.
“This includes the NHS 111 Wales website, calling 111 for advice and guidance and to access the Out of Hours service, contacting a member of your Primary Care team, or visiting a minor injuries unit.
“If you do need to attend the Emergency Department, there may be a long wait to be seen as we treat those who need us most urgently. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding and urge everyone to treat our colleagues with respect.2
In north Wales, the picture is much the same. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board operates three main hospitals – Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, and Wrexham Maelor Hospital – all of which are described as currently being “incredibly busy”.
A spokesperson for the health board said: “The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow, ice, and cold conditions in North Wales. Some areas, especially higher ground, may see 5 to 20 cm of snow, icy roads, and travel disruption.
“Our hospitals remain incredibly busy at this time as we continue to manage the usual winter demand placed on our services. Alongside this, we have faced additional pressures from seasonal infections and respiratory viruses, as well as the impact of the adverse weather that hit the region last weekend.
“As a result of this, the health board is putting plans in place to ensure services are fully supported during this time to minimise any potential disruption. We are proactively treating this as an internal critical incident to ensure we can provide the necessary support to our services, staff and patients and keep any disruption to a minimum.
“Please ensure you plan ahead if you are attending appointments or hospitals. Anyone with an appointment should attend unless advised otherwise by the health board. Patients will be contacted directly if any appointments or clinics need to be rescheduled.
“We would also ask people to check our local health services information to ensure they access care and support at the most appropriate place if they need it. There are a range of services available to people, such as NHS 111 Wales, our minor injury units and pharmacies, that can be accessed quickly and without an appointment.
“If you’re out and about over the next few days ensure you wrap up warm and wear appropriate footwear as some pavements could be icy and increase the chances of slips and falls.
“We would also encourage people to check on older people or those living alone. The cold weather increases the risk of hypothermia, especially amongst the elderly, as well as increasing the risk of injury such as slipping or falling in icy conditions.”
As health is a devolved matter, the Welsh Government is ultimately responsible for hospitals and healthcare provision across Wales.
It is confident that all health boards are able to remain “resilient” in the face of growing winter pressures.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said: “Urgent and emergency care services across Wales continue to see high levels of demand this winter.
“Despite pressure being put on the health and social care system with winter illnesses and the impact of colder weather, services have remained resilient and people have continued to receive safe and quality care when they need it most.
“We are urging people to only call 999 in the event of a life-threatening emergency and to carefully consider where to go for care. For urgent care needs, NHS 111 Wales can be accessed 24/7.”