A hospital board has warned that it is “exceptionally busy” with “very high numbers of unwell patients” and it has asked for people to stay away unless you are seriously unwell
People have been told to stay away from three hospital A&Es unless you are seriously unwell as they are “exceptionally busy”.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has warned that A&E departments at three hospitals are facing huge pressures in the run up to Christmas. The emergency departments at the Royal Glamorgan, Prince Charles and Princess of Wales hospitals located in Ynysmaerdy, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend, are “exceptionally busy” and have been dealing with “very high numbers of unwell patients” since the beginning of this week.
It comes just days after Basingstoke and Winchester hospitals declared a critical incident over bed shortages, saying there was “no capacity to admit further patients needing our care”. And now the Welsh health board has said the most seriously injured and ill patients are being prioritised at these hospitals, while warnng that some patients with less serious conditions will face an extended wait at A&E.
“We are seeing very unwell patients who need urgent care, as well as lots of people with problems that other NHS services can help,” it said. The Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board in Wales sent an alert to patients saying: “The health board is asking for the support of local people to help it manage this high demand.”
While staff continue to work to treat patietns turning up at hospitals requiring both urgent and non-urgent care, the board added: “However, with hospital beds already occupied and emergency departments seeing a higher than normal attendance from people seeking care, they are turning to the public for their support.”
Health board bosses and A&E consultants are urging people who need medical assistance for a “non-urgent problem” to consider alternative options and “choose well” to ease pressure on A&E departments. They say that minor injury units, GPs, pharmacies and contacting the NHS on 111 for advice can be helpful in many instances. Emergency department consultant Mayukhmoty Maiti, reported WalesOnline, has also told of how busy hospitals are at the moment.
He stated: “We are extremely busy and likely will be into this weekend as well. We are trying to help all of you, but we really, really ask if you can use other alternatives i.e. your pharmacy, opticians or GP, that will be very helpful for us to provide the right level of care for the patients who need our support at the right time.”
In a social media post, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: “Choosing a different service means that you are helping take the pressure off our busy staff, and that you will get seen quicker by a healthcare professional who is experienced in helping with your problem.”
