Non-urgent surgery cancelled as more in hospital with Covid
AWELSH health board has cancelled many of its non-urgent procedures due to a recent increase in Covid admissions.
At the start of the first Covid wave in 2020, then-health minister Vaughan Gething ordered the cancellation of all elective (non-urgent) procedures to deal with the incoming Covid wave, leaving an enormous backlog of people waiting – often in chronic pain – for operations.
Covid rates are currently higher in Wales than in any other part of the UK and have now led to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board cancelling many of its elective procedures as more Covid patients have started presenting in hospital.
A spokesman for Cardiff and Vale UHB said: “The recent increase in Covid-19 admissions in our hospitals has put additional pressure on our services.
“Whilst our teams continue to work hard to provide safe access to all services, the health board took a difficult decision last week to postpone some non-urgent elective surgery for a short period of time to release capacity to support current operational pressures. We apologise to any patient who has had their surgery postponed at short notice. We recognise this can be very upsetting and disruptive but would like to thank you for your continued co-operation and support during this difficult time.”
According to the Welsh Government, on April 14 there were 211 confirmed Covid-positive patients in general and acute beds in Cardiff and Vale UHB – the most of any health board. Some 52 patients were being treated specifically for Covid.
It follows a warning from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) on Friday that it has seen “a marked increase” in case numbers, which is putting a strain on the north Wales health board’s healthcare services.
According to a BCUHB spokesman, an increase in the number of patients in hospitals with coronavirus, combined with staff absences and issues discharging patients back into the community, has led to a shortage of beds in hospitals across the region,
The public has been urged to use other healthcare services for injuries and illnesses that are not critical or life threatening to ease the pressure on hospitals.
Dr Richard Griffiths, consultant in emergency medicine at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, said: “If you begin to feel unwell and it’s not an emergency you visit the NHS 111 Wales website for free health advice and information or visit your local pharmacy. For urgent concerns, people can contact our GP Out of Hours service by calling 111.”
One hospital boss also urged relatives to help ease the pressure and free up beds by assisting with the homecare of loved ones who are well enough to go home but still awaiting discharge.
Gill Harris, executive director of integrated clinical services, said: “Spending as little time in hospital is better for patients and means that NHS beds can be freed up for others with urgent care needs. Supporting older patients to get home from hospital efficiently is an important part of their recovery and it also protects them from negative consequences of hospital admission, such as hospitalacquired infection.
“If you feel you are able to facilitate hospital discharge for your loved one please speak to the ward manager or your social worker.”