Hospitals' preparedness during winter to be outlined by NHS boss

  • Wales
Flu is one of the most common illnesses during the colder months Credit: PA

The Chief Executive of the NHS in Wales is to outline how prepared health boards are for the extra pressures brought on by the winter months.

A and E departments are expected to face a number of extra pressures as admissions caused by slips, falls and accidents go up.

The pressures of winter are already being felt with the number of people with flu and norovirus increasing.

The colder months also see an rise in the number of excess winter deaths. Last year there were an estimated 31,000 extra deaths across the UK during winter.

In 2013 Welsh Government funding was given to 53 of the 'at most risk' A and E departments to help with an increase in admissions.

Some of the common pressures faced by the NHS include;

  • More complex and dependent case mix

  • Reductions in the timely discharge of patients

  • Reduced capacity in community hospitals

  • Unplanned absences of staff due to illness

  • Impact of severe weather on human resources

A number of health boards are already trying to reduce the number of admissions by launching campaigns aimed at educating the public as to when it's best to visit A and E.

They're also encouraging those most at risk of catching the flu to get their free vaccine.

The pressures felt during the winter months follow a year of hard times for the NHS.

Missed ambulance waiting times and concerns fromdoctors who say the NHS faces an imminent meltdown have all contributed to a difficult year for the health service in Wales.

The Chief Executive's report will look at how health boards are planning to cope with these added pressures during one of the busiest times of the year.