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NHS Pressures: Reduced Escalation Status - Updated 22/01/2025

 

Updated 15/01/2025

Further to our public statement on Monday (13th January), we remain in a Critical Incident Escalation due to the sustained pressures on our hospital system. This decision allows us to focus on ensuring safe care for our patients during this exceptionally challenging time.

Our services continue to experience significant demand as a result of increased emergency attendances of very unwell patients, high levels of winter virus infections on our wards, and continuing high numbers of patients awaiting discharge. We would like to thank our staff, who are doing an incredible job ensuring they provide the best care they can for our patients.

We kindly ask for your continued support by only attending our hospitals if it is a life-threatening emergency or you have a very serious injury. For non-emergency medical needs, we encourage you to consider visiting your local pharmacy or GP, using online resources such as NHS 111 Wales for advice and guidance, or calling NHS 111 if you need urgent primary care outside of GP surgery hours.

You can also find the details of alternative services by visiting our online Gwent Health Guide: https://bit.ly/49ZpXI3

We are deeply grateful for your continuing patience and support as we work to manage these pressures and restore our services to normal levels. Thank you for helping us ensure that those most in need receive timely care.


 

As a result of sustained pressure and risk throughout the hospital system over the last week, we have declared a Critical Incident this afternoon.

We have taken this decision as our services are currently experiencing exceptional demand due to a combination of increased emergency attendances of very sick patients, high levels of winter virus infections on our wards, and an increase in the number of patients who are delayed in hospital awaiting discharge.

We continue to ask for your support by only attending if it is life threatening, or you have a very serious injury.

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 primary care when your own GP surgery is closed.

Our Minor Injury Units treat a range of injuries, such as:

• Limb injuries which include broken bones (fractures) and minor joint dislocations

• Wounds, grazes, & minor burns

• Head injuries provided there is no loss of consciousness or taking blood thinning drugs

• Face injuries provided there is no loss of consciousness

Find your nearest Minor Injury Unit here: https://abuhb.nhs.wales/hospitals/enhanced-local-general-hospitals/minor-injury-units/

Thank you for your ongoing support in these challenging times for our NHS.