The Welsh Ambulance Service has lifted its critical incident status after addressing high demand and long wait times for ambulances
Cardiff: So, the Welsh Ambulance Service had a bit of a rough patch earlier this week. They declared a critical incident on Monday because they were overwhelmed with calls and had a backlog of over 340 waiting to be answered.
At one point, half of their ambulances were stuck outside hospitals, trying to hand over patients. This meant some folks had to wait way longer than usual for an ambulance. Thankfully, they’ve now stood down the critical incident, but they’re still pretty busy.
Judith Bryce, who’s the assistant director of operations, apologized to everyone who had to wait too long during that hectic 48-hour stretch. She mentioned that while things are better now, there are still significant pressures on the service.
She really emphasized that the public can help by using the 111 service for non-emergencies and only calling 999 if it’s a life-or-death situation. Plus, she suggested checking out pharmacies, GP surgeries, and minor injuries units for other health needs.
For those feeling under the weather after New Year’s Eve, she advised self-care at home for common issues like coughs and sore throats. And with yellow weather warnings out for heavy rain and high winds, she reminded everyone to be careful on the roads to avoid accidents.
The NHS in Wales is facing a surge in demand, especially with flu cases on the rise. Some hospitals are even asking visitors to wear face masks to keep everyone safe.
Judith also pointed out that fewer people are getting their flu shots this year, which isn’t great news. Only 27% of NHS staff who work directly with patients have had their flu jab, down from 33% last year. So, it’s a good reminder to stay healthy and get vaccinated!
