A Welsh A&E is pleading with patients to only attend if necessary as it faces “extreme pressure”. The emergency department at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff is “extremely busy which is resulting in longer waiting times for treatment”, according to a statement made by the Cardiff and Vale health board shortly after 4pm on Sunday.
In an online video shared by the health board, emergency medicine consultant Dr Clare Davies said: “This is a message to say that today unfortunately we are under extreme pressure in the emergency unit. We have had lots of people come to see us and a lot of those people have been really poorly and needed a lot of attention. This is a message to ask for your help and support in keeping the emergency unit safe for people who really need to be here.
“If you have a minor injury, the minor injuries unit in Barry can offer you a fast and comprehensive service to get that seen and sorted. Community pharmacies are able to be accessed all day. They often subscribe to the common ailments scheme and can provide you with medication for common ailments free of charge. If you are not sure whether the problem you’ve got needs A&E, ring NHS 111. An advisor will talk to you, assess you and tell you whether to come to see us or use another service. For the latest health news, sign up to our newsletter here
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“Bear in mind that if you do come to A&E today you may have a longer wait than we would like to offer to be seen by a doctor or nurse. There is a possibility that if we feel you would be better served by another service in the community, we will redirect you to that service.”
A spokesperson for the health board added: “Please only attend if it is an emergency. If your condition is urgent, but not life-threatening, you can call 111, out-of-hours, and the minor injuries unit at Barry Hospital. Alternatively, you can visit the NHS 111 Wales website to check your symptoms and get advice and guidance on your healthcare needs. Your primary care team in the community could also support. Each member of the primary care team has skills and expertise in different areas, enabling you to get the right support, from the right healthcare professional, first time.”
Earlier this year the Royal College of Emergency Medicine warned the “long-term deterioration” of Welsh A&E standards “must be the focus” for the Welsh Government. It came after data showed one in seven Wales A&E patients waited for 12 hours or longer.