A Welsh health board has issued the highest level of alert as one of their hospitals becomes close to being overwhelmed. A business continuity incident (BCI) has been declared at Morriston Hospital in Swansea because of extreme pressures in their emergency and unscheduled care services.
BCIs are triggered only under exceptional circumstances. Swansea Bay University Health Board said it was under high levels of pressure with an extremely high number of acutely unwell emergency patients waiting for beds – currently more than 80.
Medical director Dr Mark Ramsey said everything possible was being done to discharge patients who no longer needed acute medical care so the very ill patients could get beds. The health board said they were expecting the hospital to be extremely busy in the forthcoming days due to the seasonal drop in temperature which can trigger more illnesses.
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With emergency and unscheduled care under such extreme pressure, the public are being asked to avoid coming to the Emergency Department unless they are seriously ill or badly injured.
The board has asked the public to only attend if they are experiencing:
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Severe pain or bleeding
- Chest pain or a suspected stroke
- Serious trauma injuries
If you have a less serious illness or injury they ask you to “please consider alternative ways to get the care you need”.
Dr Ramsey said: “Families and loved ones can play a key role in supporting us if they are able to take their relatives home as soon as possible, or help out temporarily with the additional support needed until a care package is in place.
“It is also in patients’ best interests to leave hospital on time, as they can be harmed by a prolonged stay in hospital caused by inactivity and the risk of exposure to infections. Going home as soon as possible is much better for their recovery and general wellbeing, and also where most people want to be.”
There are around 300 patients in Swansea Bay hospitals who have completed their medical treatment but are still in beds, many because they are waiting for additional support or a package of care to be put in place before they leave. The health board continues to work collaboratively with local authorities to support patient discharge.
What to do if you feel ill:
For minor injuries, please try the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Neath Port Talbot Hospital. Go here for more about the MIU and the range of injuries it can treat. But note that the MIU cannot treat serious injuries or illness. Please don’t go to the MIU if you have chest pain, suspected stroke etc.
You can also go here to try the NHS Wales 111 online symptom-checker for advice. You can also ring NHS Wales 111 for advice, but lines can be busy, so if possible please visit the webpage above as a first option before calling.
Your local pharmacy can also offer free over-the-counter treatments for a wide range of common ailments, once you register with them. They can also offer a limited number of prescription medicines without you needing to go to your GP. Go here for more information about how your pharmacist can help.