Health boss fears winter will be ‘most challenging period’

A WELSH health boss has issued a stark warning to members of the public that this winter is set to be “the worst [he] has ever known” as coronavirus cases rapidly rise across Wales.

Chief executive of NHS Wales Dr Andrew Goodall told yesterday’s Welsh Government coronavirus briefing he believes this winter will be “more challenging” than any other during his career.

He said the winter months are always a challenge, but the health service will now have the impact of coronavirus on top of the flu season.

Every day this week, coronavirus deaths have been reported.

Dr Goodall admitted he is concerned about the rising trend.

He said: “It’s clear that the system is already describing pressures.

“It’s always very difficult to call when the moment is that the NHS is not coping but we are currently at half the level we were at the peak so it’s quite possible that without seeing some mitigating actions within the next month we would see the NHS in Wales under pressure.

“Having said that, do remember that out level of preparation is very different to where we were back in March and April.”

He went on to say that the current winter beds plan for hospitals is for 5,000 more beds - 10 times higher than the normal winter plan.

“I think this is going to be the most personally challenging period that I will have seen in my own career,” he added.

“We will be focused on wanting to respond professionally and focusing on the needs of the Welsh population.”