What’s as clear as a crisp winter’s day is the challenges the health service imminently faces.
On November 16, BMA Welsh council chairwoman Professor Iona Collins told BBC Wales Breakfast’s Dot Davis how difficult consultants are finding it in the Welsh health service.
Prof Collins described how one person waited 149 hours in one hospital in order to be moved to a medical bed, while another was in a waiting area for three days.
The revelations came off the back of CVUHB falling into a “black alert” on November 7 – the highest alert they can go into, after a large number of patients presented at Cardiff’s University Hospital Wales – the country’s biggest hospital – at the same time staff were trying to free up beds.
Eventually, on November 9, the health board climbed out of the black alert, officially termed a “business continuity incident”, and into level four – “extreme pressure” – after reducing the number of patients in the emergency department from 135 to 45.
When pressed by the BBC on what the health service plan to do over the winter period – having already fallen into the highest alert level at only the beginning of November, Wales’ health minister Eluned Morgan said the situation was “unacceptable”, and insisted measures have to be put in place to improve the situation.
Those measures will largely centre around avoiding going to hospitals if you can.
The health board told us they are doing everything they can to reduce the time patients stay in hospital and urged the public to use services appropriately.
They also encouraged uptake of flu and Covid vaccinations if applicable.
On the health board’s winter plans, a CVUHB spokesperson said: “Ahead of the winter period every year, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board ensure operational priorities are outlined, while balancing the additional pressures that the colder months bring.
“We are aware that seasonal demands such as respiratory viruses, slips, trips and falls will challenge the system and plan for this accordingly.
“Multiple internal and external initiatives have been launched to support and protect the health board’s colleagues, patients and services in periods of increased demand.
“We know as a health board that it’s much better for a patient’s physical and mental wellbeing to leave hospital as soon as they are medically ready to do so. Therefore, we are doing everything we can to reduce the length of time that patients stay in hospital and help our patients continue their recovery at home or, for those that can’t go straight home, within a care location most suited to their needs.
“Flu and Covid vaccinations are your best defence against serious illness this winter. Please take up invitations to attend for vaccinations to reduce the risk of being admitted to hospital.
“To support colleagues of Cardiff and Vale Health Board prioritise the care and needs of patients who require urgent care, we ask member of the public to use services appropriately.
“If your condition is not life-threatening but you feel unwell or unsure of your symptoms, please visit the NHS 111 Wales Symptom Checker for further support.
“Please only attend the Emergency Unit if you require urgent, life-threatening care.”
