NORTH Wales' health board has stepped down its 'internal critical incident' - but is still urging patients to take caution and book the 'most appropriate service'.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) declared the incident on Monday, December 19.

That was due to a lack of available beds across hospitals in North Wales.

BCUHB stated it was struggling to cope with the "prolonged and significant demand" on the health system.

However, it has today (Thursday, December 22), declared the incident over.

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The incident coincided with both NHS and ambulance service staff taking strike action earlier this week over pay disputes.

A statement from BCUHB read: "We have stepped down the Internal Critical Incident announced on Monday, December 19, 2022.

"This means patients who had treatments postponed will receive new appointments as soon as possible. Please work with us and wait for us to make contact with you about these appointments.

"While standing down the Internal Critical Incident does mean the health board has negotiated a very serious period of pressure on services, it does not mean we should be complacent.

"The North Wales public has played a huge part in helping to keep demand for emergency services at a manageable level over the past two or three days and the board has asked for similar consideration over the Christmas and New Year period.

"There is more industrial action, planned by the GMB union and affecting the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust next week, on Wednesday, December 28. Also, winter time is always a challenging period for health services. In addition, flu and Covid continues to affect our staff and our hospital sites.

"We are continuing to urge members of the public who need help to check the NHS 111 Wales website in the first instance to be advised about the most appropriate service, which might be self-care at home, a visit to the pharmacy, a GP appointment, a Minor Injuries Unit or, in life threatening circumstances, the hospital Emergency Department.

"As always, our Emergency Departments will remain open and will see patients in order of clinical priority. We regret that we anticipate that those who do attend will face extremely long waits to be seen while staff on duty do all they can to keep patients safe."