Welsh Ambulance Service declares critical incident over ‘high demand’

The Welsh Ambulance Service has this afternoon declared a critical incident because of a high level of demand.

As a result, some patients may wait longer for help, while others could be advised to make alternative arrangements if their call is not life-threatening, including making their own way to hospital if necessary.

The Trust is asking the public to call 999 only for serious and life-threatening emergencies.

Although the service said the actions had particularly been triggered by the situation in south east Wales, the public in north Wales and other regions are being asked to consider alternative options to calling for an ambulance.

It said people should visit the NHS 111 Wales website for health advice or information or consult a GP, pharmacist, dentist or optician.

People in the Betsi Cadwaladr health board area can call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 with general health queries.

Lee Brooks, the Trust’s Director of Operations, said: “There are actions underway to deal with this demand, but we really need the public to work with us on this.

“Please only call 999 if it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency – I’m talking cardiac arrest, chest pain or breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, choking, catastrophic bleeding, etc.

“If it’s less serious, then we need you to think about the alternatives available to you, including using our 111 Wales online symptom checkers or seeking advice from your GP or pharmacist.

“As always, we’ll be dealing with patients in order of clinical priority, so the sickest patients will be seen first.

“If your call is less urgent, you may wait longer for help, or be asked to make an alternative arrangement, including making your own way to hospital if necessary.

“We’re hopeful that the actions we’ve put in place will start to take effect in the next couple of hours, but until then, help us help you and only call us if it’s a genuine emergency.”