BRONGLAIS Hospital’s A&E department has seen “unprecedented pressures” over the last few weeks along with other hospitals in the Hywel Dda area.

Warnings have been issued across the NHS in both Wales and England about a crisis in A&E departments at hospitals.

Dr Jeremy Williams, Hywel Dda’s clinical director for unscheduled care, admitted that A&E departments across the health board area had been under huge strain with increased demand for services.

He said: “What we’re seeing recently is the A&E departments of Hywel Dda’s acute hospitals coming under unprecedented pressures, due to a large number of emergency presentations, both major and minor.

“It would be extremely helpful if people with more minor conditions do not present to the A&E service, but rather try the Triage and Treat Community Pharmacy Service, as this will allow patients with more severe injuries and illness to be treated as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health Rhun ap Iorwerth demanded from Vaughan Gething, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, answers about how he is trying to address winter pressures in hospitals.

Mr ap Iorwerth said there had been warnings from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in Wales that the situation in Wales was “as bad, if not worse” than in England.

Mr Gething insisted that the NHS in Wales was not facing a situation as bad as claimed by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

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