Gwent hospitals warn of exceptional demand as patients await discharge
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board says its hospitals are experiencing exceptional demand because of increased emergency attendances by very sick patients and a high number of patients waiting to be discharged. In a notice dated Tuesday 20 October, the board says services remain open. It is asking people to choose the service appropriate to their needs while staff prioritise the sickest patients.
Advice in the health board’s 20 October notice
- Emergency Department
- Life-threatening illness or very serious injury
- Less urgent concerns
- Pharmacy, GP practice or NHS 111 Wales
- Service status
- Open; sickest patients prioritised
What the health board is asking
The board asks people to attend its Emergency Department for a life-threatening illness or very serious injury. It warns that people attending with conditions that are not life-threatening should be prepared for a long wait. For less urgent concerns, the board points people towards a local pharmacy, a GP practice or NHS 111 Wales. It says NHS 111 Wales can provide advice, support and access to out-of-hours appointments. The board’s Gwent Health Guide links to local service information.
Services remain open
The statement does not announce a closure or give a numerical waiting-time estimate. It also does not describe the pressure as a declared critical incident. The board asks patients and visitors to be kind to staff working to maintain safe care. People using services should check the board’s current notice and local guide, as advice and operational pressures can change.
Background and supporting figures
Where this sits
Demand is attributed to both very sick emergency attendances and patients awaiting discharge; no numerical split supplied.
Exceptional demand is distinguished from closure or a declared critical incident, neither of which is announced.