NHS staff across Wales have their annual leave cancelled over the festive period
First Minister Mark Drakeford makes a plea with the people of Wales to do what you should this Christmas as the strain on the NHS increases
Last updated 23rd Dec 2020
Many frontline NHS staff across Wales have had their annual leave cancelled over the festive period as pressure mounts on the NHS.
Whilst millions of us gear up for a Christmas with fewer friends and family, many of our frontline workers prepare for another shift on the ward.
The Director of RCN Wales Helen Whyley says NHS workers are used to working the festive period, but annual leave is a statutory right and we need to make sure staff are well rested - as rested staff means good and safe care for patients.
Following the stress upon the NHS, Wales' First Minister is making a plea for people to do what they should not what they can this Christmas.
"Coronavirus is spreading faster and wider in Wales than at any other point in this pandemic. Our public services are under intense pressure as they work around the clock to care for and keep people safe.
Frontline workers are putting our health and care first, every day but as the virus continues to spread, so too does the strain on our NHS. We must do everything we can to protect our NHS and save lives."
Staff sickness levels within the NHS are rising as Covid spreads across Wales. Professor Jason Killens, Chief Executive of The Welsh Ambulance Service stated, he was pleased to welcome 90 Soldiers and 64 students from Swansea University, to assist paramedics in Wales to cope with the second wave.
Merthyr and Bridgend currently have the top two worst rates for Covid cases in the whole of the United Kingdom. Merthyr has 1269.8 cases per 100,000 people and Bridgend has 1145.9 cases per 100,000 people.
Mark Drakeford says the virus is having a major impact on our emergency services and the new strain of the Covid-19 virus, means more pressure on our health service as Coronavirus cases are likely to increase.
"To keep yourself and your loved ones safe this Christmas, please avoid mixing wherever possible.
For most people the virus will cause a mild illness but there are many – our parents and grandparents – who are at risk of serious illness or death if they catch it.
Too many families have already lost loved ones to this terrible virus – if we don’t act now, even more deaths will follow. Our actions and decisions over the festive period, and in the coming weeks and months, will shape Wales for years to come.
Please, let’s all think carefully before we act and protect our public and emergency services so they’re there for when we really need them."