Health board declares Critical Incident from 'sustained pressure'

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board have declared a Critical Incident this afternoon due to increased demand.

They say it's due to sustained pressure and risk throughout the hospital system - that's due to increased attendance at A&E and high levels of winter viruses.

They are asking members of the public to only go to A and E if it's life threatening.

A spokesperson for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said:

"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 are asking local people to only attend the Emergency Department if they have a life threatening illness, or a very serious injury.

The health board is also advising people to talk to their pharmacy or GP for more general health questions

"We would also ask people to consider visiting their local pharmacy, their GP surgery, Minor Injury Unit, or to visit the online 111 symptom checker, or call NHS 111 for advice.

"We would like to thank our communities for their ongoing support in these challenging times for our NHS."

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