Plea issued to avoid A&E unless "absolutely necessary"
High numbers of extremely unwell patients are being seen in Morriston Hospital’s Emergency Department
Last updated 30th Dec 2022
The public are being urged to avoid A&E unless "absolutely necessary".
Swansea Bay University Health Board have issued the plea, ahead of the bank holiday weekend.
High numbers of extremely unwell patients are being seen in Morriston Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), prompting a call for the public to use alternatives wherever possible to help ease the pressure.
Executive Medical Director Dr Richard Evans said: "Winter is always an extremely busy time for the health service, but in common with other health boards in Wales we are seeing even more acutely unwell patients than we normally would.
"We are treating heart attacks and strokes as usual, but also those with serious underlying and complex conditions. These people need to be seen in ED.
"But the pressure on Morriston and our other hospitals is being further compounded by the steep rise in levels of Covid, flu and other respiratory illnesses.
"As a result, we are asking the public to avoid ED unless absolutely necessary.
"Our staff will always prioritise the sickest patients, so those with non life-threatening illnesses or injuries are facing extremely long waits to be seen."
Dr Evans said the public can help reduce the spread of infection and therefore pressure on services and staff by postponing visits to family and friends in hospital if they themselves have symptoms of a cold, flu-like symptoms or diarrhoea and vomiting or they have been caring for someone who is unwell.
"Respiratory infections spread quickly in hospital and older patients and those with chronic medical conditions are much more likely to get extremely ill if they catch them," he added.
The call follows a significant jump in cases - over 170 between the 22 and 28 of December - of flu, Covid, and several other viral respiratory infections at Swansea Bay UHB sites.
The infection control team are also reporting cases of diarrhoea and vomiting affecting patients in hospital.
Mask wearing has been reinstated across Swansea Bay’s sites as a result of the jump in respiratory infections, with visitors also urged to wash their hands and use the hand gels available on the wards if they do visit.
Dr Evans said: "The public can also help us by using other services wherever possible if they or a loved one are unwell."