Critical Incident Stood Down
UPDATE - 17:00, Thursday 2nd July 2026
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has today stood down the Critical Incident that was declared in response to the sustained pressures created by the recent period of extreme heat.
The decision follows cooler temperatures and reduced humidity, alongside an improvement in system flow, with pressures across our services - while still significant - now falling below the threshold for a Critical Incident.
However, demand in the Emergency Department at The Grange University Hospital remains high and we continue to encourage local people to use NHS services wisely. If you are unsure where to go for care, please contact NHS 111 or visit the Gwent Health Guide on our website.
Throughout this challenging period, staff across the Health Board have continued to provide care in exceptionally difficult circumstances, often working in very high temperatures while managing sustained demand for services.
Chief Executive, Nicola Prygodzicz, said:
"I would like to thank all our staff for their extraordinary efforts throughout this period. Colleagues across the Health Board have gone above and beyond to deliver the very best care for patients, showing outstanding professionalism, resilience, compassion and teamwork.
"I would also like to thank our patients and the people of Gwent for their patience, understanding and support while we managed these significant pressures.”
UPDATE - 14:00, Thursday 25th June 2026
Our Chief Operating Officer, Leanne Watkins, updates on our ongoing Critical Incident.
UPDATE - 12:00, Wednesday 24th June 2026
Critical Incident remains in place – please take care in the heat
Our Critical Incident remains ongoing today as we continue to manage significant pressure across our services.
With very hot weather continuing, we’re asking everyone to take extra care and look after themselves and others.
Please stay hydrated, seek shade where possible and avoid becoming overheated, particularly if you are older, very young, or have underlying health conditions.
We are continuing to ask for your support by only attending our Emergency Department at The Grange University Hospital if it is life threatening or you have a very serious injury. Our other hospitals, GP, Pharmacy, Dental and optometry colleagues are also under severe pressure due to the effects of the extreme temperatures. If you are unsure of where to go for care, please call 111 for help and advice.
If you have an appointment today, tomorrow or Friday, please attend as planned unless you are contacted by us. If your appointment needs to be rearranged, we will get in touch with you directly. If you feel unable to attend safely due to the heat, you will not be adversely affected and we will arrange a new appointment as soon as possible - but if you can, please let us know by calling the number on your booking letter.
Thank you for your continued support.
18:00, Tuesday 23rd June 2026
We have had to take the decision today to call a Critical Incident due to the effects of the extreme heat we are experiencing this week.
We have taken this decision as our services are currently experiencing exceptional demand across our hospitals due to a combination of increased emergency attendances of sick patients with heat-related symptoms, being unable to safely care for patients in some areas of our hospitals that are not air-conditioned, and the high number of patients who are awaiting discharge, along with staffing difficulties due to school closures over the coming days.
As seen across other areas of Wales, we ask for your support by only attending our Emergency Department if it is life threatening, or you have a very serious injury.
Anyone can become unwell in hot weather, but older people, babies, young children, those who live alone or in a care home are particularly vulnerable in the heat. We would urge our communities to stay as safe as possible and look after each other during this period of extreme heat by keeping hydrated, seeking shade and avoiding overheating wherever possible.
If you need medical help, please think carefully about the services you choose. Choosing the right place to receive advice and care will help us ensure that our hospitals are not overwhelmed and enable us to provide timely treatment for patients most in need.
Please consider visiting your local pharmacy, your GP, visit https://111.wales.nhs.uk/selfassessments or call NHS 111 for advice. You can also ring 111 if you need to access urgent appointments when your own GP surgery is closed.
You can also find the details of alternative services by visiting our online Gwent Health Guide: Gwent Health Guide - Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Thank you for your ongoing support in these challenging times for our NHS. We will keep you updated over the coming days.