Betsi stands down Internal Critical Incident placed on region’s hospitals

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has stood down Internal Critical Incident announced on Monday (December 19).

The incident was declared due to the “prolonged and significant demand” being placed on the region’s hospitals – combined with the industrial action taken by nursing staff.

This means patients who had treatments postponed will receive new appointments as soon as possible.

Gill Harris, Interim Chief Executive, said: “While standing down the Internal Critical Incident does mean the health board has negotiated a very serious period of pressure on services, it does not mean we should be complacent.

“The North Wales public has played a huge part in helping to keep demand for emergency services at a manageable level over the past two or three days and the board has asked for similar consideration over the Christmas and New Year period.

“There is more industrial action, planned by the GMB union and affecting the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust next week, on Wednesday, December 28.

“Also winter time is always a challenging period for health services. In addition, flu and Covid continues to affect our staff and our hospital sites.

“We are continuing to urge members of the public who need help to check the NHS 111 Wales website in the first instance to be advised about the most appropriate service, which might be self-care at home, a visit to the pharmacy, a GP appointment, a minor injury units or, in life threatening circumstances, the hospital Emergency Department.

“As always, our Emergency Departments will remain open and will see patients in order of clinical priority.

“We regret that we anticipate that those who do attend will face extremely long waits to be seen while staff on duty do all they can to keep patients safe.”