999 delays feared as ambulances queue outside hospitals
Patients have been asked to try other options before dialling 999 or going to A&E, because of 'unprecedented' pressure on emergency units.
Health shake-up: hospital and injury units to shut
Hywel Dda health chiefs agree a plan to cut services in some smaller hospitals and re-invest millions of pounds in new community facilities.
Hywel Dda Health Board announce hospital shake-up
Plans revealed to reorganise the NHS service provided by Hywel Dda Health Board
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999 delays feared as ambulances queue outside hospitals
Patients have been asked to try other options before dialling 999 or going to A&E, because of 'unprecedented' pressure on emergency units.
Read the full storyPatients urged to try other option to A&Es
Patients are being urged to think before dialling 999 or going to an A&E department, due to unprecedented pressure being felt by emergency units around Wales at the moment.
The Choose Well Wales website has advice on how you can get treatment locally.
We'd like to hear from you, on your experiences in A&E departments and views on the problems that mean hospitals have had to cancel routine surgery and redeploy staff.
Here's how to get in touch:
Email - wales@itv.com
Twitter - @itvwales
Facebook - ITV Wales
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Local health watchdog: Changes mean fewer beds
Paul Hinge, chairman of a Mid Wales health watchdog, Ceredigion Community Health Council, says the ambulance service is "stretched" and restructuring processes mean hospitals have fewer beds available.
Health expert: Centralising A&Es could worsen problem
Health expert Marcus Longley warned that changes to the NHS in Wales, with fewer major A&E departments, could make the pressure on ambulances transferring patients worse, as response distances and times are increased.
Professor Longley said, though, that current problems lie within the system more broadly, and "the health service needs to get ahead of the problem, rather than just forever scrambling to catch up with it."
Betsi Cadwaladr: Changes will reduce A&E pressures
– Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board spokespersonWe have faced significant pressures over the last week in relation to emergency attendances to our main hospitals.
Our planned changes to community services, such as rolling out the home enhanced care service will provide alternatives to hospital admission and will therefore reduce pressure on emergency admissions and beds in both the acute and community hospitals.
Releasing resources from some inpatient facilities will allow us to develop a more flexible, responsive service across North Wales that avoids the need for hospital admission.
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg: Many patients over 85
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board says many of the people it has been treating have cardiac problems or have suffered a stroke. Many are over the age of 85.
The health board says it has brought in extra staff, and put on extra beds, to deal to with its A&E departments being exceptionally busy.
It says most routine operations have been postponed.
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Health Minister: A&E problems not only in Wales
The Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said it is worth noting that exceptional pressure on A&E departments is "not a Wales-only problem", but is also happening in England.
"The public have an important part to play at this challenging time for emergency care services by using the most appropriate healthcare service to their needs and thinking before attending the Accident and Emergency Department or dialling 999."
"NHS staff continue to work extremely hard to care for patients during this period of pressure on hospital and emergency services, and my officials will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Hywel Dda: March busier at all A&E departments
Hywel Dda University Health Board says the number of people going to accident and emergency departments has increased at all of its hospitals this month, compared to last month.
It says some planned surgery has been postponed, so resources can be redeployed to A&E units, but it is working to ensure patients are not delayed in moving out of hospital and into more appropriate care.
Cwm Taf: 'Sustained period of pressure'
– Allison Williams, chief executive of Cwm Taf Health BoardOur hospitals are experiencing very high demand and a large number of very ill patients are being brought to our accident and emergency departments. Many of these patients are then being admitted to hospital for ongoing care.
We have experienced a sustained period of pressure since the start of the year and are working hard to ensure our patients receive timely and appropriate care.
Read More: Patients treated in ambulances outside Bronglais Hospital
A&E delays have 'direct impact' on 999 response
The Welsh Ambulance Service says it is "very concerned at the handover delays that have been experienced recently".
It is "concerned that pressure across all hospitals in Wales has a direct impact on the ambulance response that is able to be provided to patients who call 999 for our help."
"Ambulance crews continue to provide clinical care for patients as they wait to be admitted into hospital and we provide ambulance clinicians, where possible, to care for patients in emergency departments to support the nursing and medical staff in hospitals."