The Welsh Ambulance Service has declared a ‘critical incident’ due to unprecedented demand on the 999 service and prolonged hospital handover delays, severely impacting its ability to respond to emergencies.
Crisis in Numbers
- More than 340 calls were waiting to be answered when the critical incident was announced.
- Over half of the Trust’s ambulance fleet is currently waiting to hand over patients outside hospitals.
- Patients requiring urgent care have faced long delays for ambulance arrivals and call responses.
Impact on Services
Stephen Sheldon, Head of Service at the Welsh Ambulance Service, explained the severity of the situation:
“It is very rare that we declare a critical incident, but with significant demand and more than 90 ambulances delayed outside hospitals, our ability to help patients has been impacted.”
As a result:
- Response times for non-life-threatening emergencies have increased significantly.
- Call answering times have been affected, leaving many patients frustrated.
Public Urged to Use Alternatives to 999
The Trust is urging the public to reserve 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrests, severe chest pain, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, choking, or catastrophic bleeding.
For less critical issues, the public is encouraged to:
- Use the NHS 111 Wales symptom checkers online.
- Contact GPs, pharmacists, or Minor Injuries Units for advice and treatment.
Efforts to Alleviate Pressure
In response to the crisis, the Trust has enacted its critical incident plan, implementing additional measures to maintain services and alleviate strain on the system. Despite these efforts, patients are being advised to prepare for delays.
Sheldon added:
“Our staff and volunteers are doing a brilliant job under difficult circumstances, and we cannot thank them enough for their hard work during these challenging times across the health service.”
A System Under Strain
This declaration reflects growing pressures across the UK’s healthcare system, with ambulance services struggling to meet increasing demand exacerbated by hospital delays. The Welsh Ambulance Service’s plea for public cooperation is part of ongoing efforts to prioritize resources for those most in need.
The service reiterated its commitment to providing care but stressed the importance of public support during this critical period.
