Only those with life-threatening conditions are to attend A&E in a health board region where emergency units are facing significant pressures
15:22, 10 Dec 2025Updated 15:23, 10 Dec 2025
Emergency Departments across hospital sites in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, including Glangwili Hospital, are under significant pressure(Image: Google)A&Es in health board region are facing unrelenting pressure
- Emergency departments struggling to cope Emergency departments across hospital sites in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire including Glangwili Hospital are experiencing significant pressure, a spokesperson has said.
- Health board makes public plea Such is the high pressure facing the services that the health board has been moved to make a public plea for only those with life-threatening conditions to attend A&E. Health officials are urging the public to consider their options carefully before attending A&E departments, stressing that the services must remain available for those with the most serious and life-threatening conditions.
- What the health board has said Members of the public who feel unwell or who are unsure about the appropriate care route are encouraged to use the NHS 111 online symptom checker or call NHS 111 for advice. For anyone needing urgent mental health support, NHS 111 is available 24/7.
- Glangwili Hospital under ‘significant pressure’ A spokesperson for Hywel Dda Health Board said: “Our emergency departments (A&E) across all our hospital sites, and in particular Glangwili Hospital, are under significant pressure today (Wednesday, December 10). If you are unwell and unsure what to do, you can visit the online symptom checker: https://111.wales.nhs.uk/SelfAssessments or call NHS 111 if you are unsure what help you need. For 24/7 mental health support please call NHS 111 and choose option 2.
- What is a life-threatening condition? The health says: “Only attend an emergency department if you have a life-threatening illness or serious injury, such as: severe breathing difficulties, severe pain or bleeding, chest pain or a suspected stroke, serious trauma injuries (e.g. from a car crash).”
- If you have a less serious injury, visit a minor injury unit Minor injury units can adults and children over 12 months of age, with injuries such as minor wounds, minor burns or scalds, insect bites, minor limb, head, or face injuries, foreign bodies in the nose or ear
- Can you support a loved one at home? A spokesman for the health board added: “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.”
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