Patients with non-life threatening conditions urged to make appointment before going to A&E in Wales
Patients across Wales could soon require an appointment to attend accident and emergency units.
The health minister has urged people with non-life threatening conditions to book ahead as part of a remodelling of emergency services to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 'phone-first' triage system is being trialled at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board from next month, and is expected to be rolled out across the country if successful.
It comes after warnings that winter pressures combined with further outbreaks could put extreme pressure on NHS services.
As A&E units have gradually returned to a normal range of activity, some health boards have seen queues forming outside as space inside is reduced due to social distancing.
Those with life-threatening emergencies, such as symptoms of a stroke, loss of breathing or a suspected heart attack, are still being told to dial 999.
Health Minister Vaughan Gething said the NHS has had to rapidly adapt to cope with the pandemic while ensuring patient and staff safety.
"Lockdown saw a sharp reduction in attendances at emergency departments, and a large increase in people accessing support and advice remotely via NHS 111 and online services," he said.
"As attendances begin to return to more normal levels, these changes in how people have been accessing services over recent weeks is something leading clinicians say must be maintained."
Prior to the pandemic, A&E departments in Wales recorded their worst ever waiting times with just over 70 per cent of patients seen within the target time of four hours in December.
The Welsh Government found evidence suggests a number of patients who attend emergency departments do not need the expert care provided by healthcare professionals there.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's "CAV 24/7 phone service" will direct people to "the right advice or treatment in the right place", the Welsh Government said.
This could mean they are encouraged to self-care, be alerted to a service in their local community, or be directly booked in for a personal appointment in an urgent care centre or emergency department.
Denmark operates a similar system, where all but the most ill patients must ring ahead and make an appointment.
Scientists have predicted there will be a huge backlog of patients needing NHS care this winter, while the possibility of a flu epidemic will add even more pressure.
Both the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) and the Royal College of Physicians have expressed concerns about safety if emergency departments become overcrowded.
Dr Jo Mower, RCEM, said: "We recognise the efforts made by the public to use emergency care services sensibly during the pandemic and thank them for this," she added.
"We are working with Welsh Government to ensure patients are seen in the right place, which may be in the community, and by the right clinician, first time."