NHS Pressures: Critical Incident Declared

Monday 12th January 2026

We continue to see sustained pressure throughout our system and are currently experiencing exceptional demand due to a combination of increased emergency attendances of very sick patients and an increase in the number of patients who are delayed in hospital awaiting discharge.

Along with this, we are now seeing a significant increase of Norovirus cases across Gwent, which is continuing to impact our services. We are asking people not to visit relatives in any of our hospitals if they have been unwell with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, and only visit if they have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.

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.

For advice on where to get medical help, please visiting our online Gwent Health Guide: Gwent Health Guide - Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Thank you for your ongoing support this Winter.

Saturday 10th January 2026

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: Minor Injury Units - Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

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.