A Welsh health board has urged people to only attend its emergency department "if absolutely necessary" amid "unprecedented demand" for its services. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which covers the Gwent area, issued the message on Friday, December 30 as many head out to celebrate New Year's Eve.
In a post on social media the health board said it was experiencing "unprecedented demand" across its services with large numbers of patients presenting with respiratory viruses including the flu and Covid-19. It said a "significant increase in respiratory viruses" in communities was also causing high levels of staff sickness which were putting services under further pressure.
NHS services in Wales and the UK have been under sustained pressure in recent weeks, with the busy winter season coinciding with industrial action from nurses and ambulance staff during Christmas week. RCN members from the nursing community have warned of further strikes in 2023 unless the Welsh Government negotiates over pay, something it has so far refused to do.
