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4mo ago

Welsh Ambulance Service Faces Unprecedented Strain Over Winter Surge

Critical incident declared as flu, COVID-19, and hospital delays overwhelm emergency response capabilities, with calls for public cooperation to ease pressures.

More than half of the Trust’s ambulance vehicles were waiting to handover patients outside hospitals (Photo: Huw Fairclough/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The Welsh Ambulance Service declared a critical incident on Monday due to a surge in 999 calls and prolonged hospital handover delays, with over 340 calls waiting at its peak.
  • More than half of the ambulance fleet was stuck outside hospitals, unable to transfer patients due to a lack of available beds, causing significant delays in responding to emergencies.
  • Health officials cited flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses as key contributors to the increased demand, warning that the seasonal virus peak is likely still ahead.
  • Patients and ambulance chiefs shared harrowing accounts of long waits, with some individuals waiting hours for an ambulance and additional delays outside hospitals before receiving care.
  • Authorities urged the public to use emergency services responsibly, recommending alternative resources like NHS 111, pharmacies, and GPs for non-life-threatening issues, and advised moderation during New Year's Eve celebrations to reduce strain.