As demand soars due to winter viruses, the Welsh Ambulance Service calls for public support ahead of New Year’s Eve.
The Welsh Ambulance Service has declared a critical incident as hospitals across the UK face immense pressure from a combination of flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus, compounded by the festive season rush. This unprecedented strain has resulted in lengthy delays and high demand for ambulances, prompting urgent calls for public cooperation.
On Monday evening, the service reported that more than 340 emergency calls were waiting to be answered, while over half of its ambulances were stuck outside hospitals, unable to offload patients. As a result, some patients had to wait for hours for ambulances to arrive.
Jason Killens, the chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, issued an urgent appeal to the public ahead of the New Year celebrations. “While we want people to enjoy themselves tonight, we ask that they drink sensibly, eat before going out, and look after their friends,” he urged.
The demand surge has been primarily driven by the ongoing circulation of respiratory viruses, including flu and COVID-19. “In the past 24 to 48 hours, the pressure has become acute,” Killens explained, acknowledging the challenge facing the service during this peak period.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Killens expressed regret for the delays patients had endured, saying, “We apologise to those who waited too long yesterday and are still waiting this morning. The pressure on our services continues, and we expect it to persist until Tuesday evening.”
The situation in Wales reflects a broader crisis in the UK healthcare system, with hospitals overwhelmed by a “quad-demic” of flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus. Data from the NHS revealed that, in the first week of December, an average of 1,861 flu patients were in hospital each day — a 70% increase from the previous week and more than three times higher than the same period last year.
The Welsh Ambulance Service, which serves over three million people, seldom declares a critical incident, but the unprecedented demand has strained resources. Stephen Sheldon, head of the service, explained the severity of the situation: “With over 90 ambulances waiting to hand over patients outside hospitals, our capacity to respond has been severely impacted.”
The service is urging the public to reserve 999 calls for life-threatening emergencies, such as heart attacks, severe breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, or significant bleeding. For non-urgent issues, the public is encouraged to use alternative options, including the NHS 111 Wales website, GPs, pharmacists, and Minor Injuries Units.
As the UK healthcare system braces for continued pressure, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s plea for moderation and patience highlights the critical role the public plays in alleviating the strain on emergency services during this challenging period.
