Ambulance service critical incident stood down but 'significant' pressure remains
The Welsh Ambulance Service has stood down the critical incident it declared on Monday evening but says 'significant' pressure remains.
It comes after people were urged by health bosses to avoid setting off fireworks and to drink responsibly on New Year's Eve in order to reduce pressure on the NHS.
Bosses apologised to patients who have waited "far too long" for an ambulance over the last 48 hours during one of the busiest times of year for emergency workers.
The Welsh Conservatives said the critical incident "highlights Labour’s disastrous record and mismanagement of the NHS here in Wales."
The service said it declared a critical incident on Monday (30 December 2024) night as a result of "extreme pressure" on the 999 system and extensive hospital handover delays, exacerbated by a rising number of viruses such as flu, norovirus and Covid-19.
Critical incident declarations are rare, with the last one coming in December 2020 when high demand, particularly in south east Wales prompted concern from bosses.
On New Year's day morning this year, the critical incident was stood down after the ambulance service said it had taken a number of additional measures to mitigate pressures using 'well rehearsed plans".Judith Bryce, the Trust’s Assistant Director of Operations, said: “We would once again like to apologise to all those patients who have waited far too long for an ambulance during an extremely challenging 48-hour period.“Please only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency, and if it’s not a life-threatening emergency, please consider one of the many alternatives to 999, starting with the NHS 111 Wales symptom checkers as well as your local pharmacist, Minor Injuries Unit and GP."
Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, James Evans MS, said: “The recent declaration of a critical incident by the Welsh Ambulance Service highlights Labour’s disastrous record and mismanagement of the NHS here in Wales.
“This is not just a winter crisis—it’s a glaring symptom of long-term failures under Labour in Wales. Patients waiting in distress and overstretched frontline workers deserve far better.
“Under Labour, Wales is broken. It’s time for real leadership and concrete action to fix these systemic issues once and for all.”
On Tuesday, a Welsh Government spokesperson said that urgent and emergency care services "continue to see high levels of demand this winter.
“Increase in flu cases has further added pressure during the Christmas period and resulted in action being taken by health boards including prevention and control measures.
“We are continuing to drive our 50-day challenge to integrate health and social care services and help improve patient flow through hospitals and tackle ambulance handover delays.
"We have invested more than £180m in additional funds this year to help safely manage more people in the community, avoid ambulance transport and admission to hospital focusing on the right care, in the right place, first time.”
The Welsh Ambulance Service appealed to people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to stay at home in order to limit the spread, as well as washing hands regularly and keeping your distance from vulnerable people. “For anyone under the weather after New Year’s Eve celebrations, consider what you can do at home to self-care, including for common ailments like coughs, sore throats and diarrhoea.“And while yellow weather warnings remain in place for heavy rain and high winds, please take extra care to avoid accidents on the road, as well as slips, trips and falls".
The service thanked staff and volunteers for their efforts to give patients the best possible care.