A statement on the exceptional demand across our Health Board.

Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB’s Executive Medical Director, Dr Dom Hurford said:

“We are continuing to experience exceptional demand across the whole Health Board, particularly in our emergency departments (EDs).

“We want to reassure our communities that we are working together with all of our key partners, including the Welsh Ambulance Service and our three local authorities in Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil, to do all we can to improve the situation quickly for our patients.

“Social care teams are working hard trying to discharge patients from our hospitals with the right package of care for their needs. That will mean there will be more beds available for the patients coming through our EDs, which in turn will reduce ambulances waiting outside EDs to hand over patients to us. Our GPs and primary care colleagues are also working under enormous pressure from urgent and routine appointments.

“We are sorry for those of you who will, unfortunately, have first-hand experience of the delays and long waits for care that we are currently seeing, but we do need to thank you for working with us and for your patience and understanding. Please know that, as always, the safety of our patients, our communities and our workforce remains our number one priority.

“Finally, if you have a loved one who is in one of our hospitals, but is well enough to go home and there is a way you can support them, please speak to our teams on the relevant ward. This would really help us in the current situation.

“Thank you for your support and understanding and thank you to all of our staff for your dedication in providing the best care as we deal with this extreme pressure.”