A critical incident has been announced by a Welsh health board after inundated with cases of Covid-19 and flu. A lack of available hospital beds and staff shortages is leading to long waiting times for patients.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which covers the north Wales counties of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Denbighshire, Conwy, Wrexham and Flintshire, said it is struggling to cope with the demand on the system. A number of patients are suffering from flu, coronavirus and other respiratory viruses, as well as an increase in those need emergency care.
Planned procedures and appointments on Tuesday have been cancelled unless they are urgent. Patients who are affected will be contacted to arrange rescheduled appointments. Procedures planned for Wednesday are currently still going ahead.
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A spokesperson from the health board described the critical incident as "prolonged and unprecedented" with patients experiencing "extremely long waits."
The health board said: "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."
Among the hospitals affected are; Glan Cwlyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Wrexham Maelor. Members of the public are urged to visit the NHS Wales website to determine the most appropriate service, including self-care at home, the pharmacy, a GP appointment, a Minor Injuries Unit, or the hospital emergency department in life threatening circumstances.
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