One of Wales' busiest accident and emergency departments is seeing a huge rise in patient numbers which is putting services under extreme pressure. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board warned that only people with life-threatening illnesses and injuries should travel to The Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran.
A spokesperson for the health board confirmed that 340 patients were seen in the A&E on Monday, October 17 which resulted in some less urgent cases waiting up to 12 hours to be seen by a doctor. On a usual day, they added that the department sees between 140 and 220 patients.
On Tuesday morning at 10am the spokesperson added that there were already 100 people in the unit. Dr Alastair Richards, clinical director for the health board, said: "We are currently seeing around a 30% increase in the number of patients in the emergency department compared to a usual busy day."
