Betsi Cadwaladr University Health board declares critical incident

The North Wales health board has said that it has a “very high volume” of patients with flu, COVID and other respiratory viruses, which had led to increased pressure.

They have now announced that “all but the most urgent procedures and appointments” in hospitals tomorrow (Tuesday, January 3) have been postponed. They say that they “sincerely apologise to all those affected” and that they will be contacted rescheduled as soon as possible.

However, planned procedures or appointments from Wednesday ( January 4) onwards should assume that this is still going ahead, unless they are contacted directly by the Health Board.

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In a statement, the health board said: “This morning we have declared an internal critical incident as we are struggling to cope with prolonged, unprecedented demand across the health and social care system.

“We are currently seeing a very high volume of patients presenting at our hospitals with flu, COVID and other respiratory viruses, as well as an increase in the most seriously injured or unwell patients requiring emergency care.

“This, together with a lack of available beds in our hospitals and significant staffing shortages, is leading to extremely long waits for patients to be seen – particularly at our hospital Emergency Departments. Similar pressures are being experienced in other Health Boards and English Trusts.

“We are continuing to work closely with Local Authority colleagues to support medically fit patients to be discharged from hospital and we are making use of all available staffing.

“This is an exceptionally challenging time for colleagues across our health services and we are hugely grateful for the continued efforts being made in such difficult circumstances.”

Those who are in need of help are being urged to contact NHS Wales 111 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.

The health board added: “As always, our Emergency Departments will remain open and will see patients in order of clinical priority.

“However, we regret 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.”