Wales' biggest hospital declares highest level 'Black Alert'

Wales' biggest hospital has declared a top tier alert over 'winter operational pressures' and 'unprecedented' ambulance delays.

The University Hospital of Wales has declared a Black Alert over a "significant and sustained adverse demand" on services. It's the highest alert possible signalling a crisis for NHS workers at the hospital.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said on Tuesday there were particular problems within in the hospital's emergency unit. A statement from the hospital said the alert was as the result of "winter operational pressures, coupled with coupled with limited bed availability".

The statement added that is "attributed to lengthy patient discharges, the health board is currently experiencing unprecedented ambulance delays." Hospital trust bosses also said they were continuing to "work collaboratively with colleagues from the Local Authorities to support the onward discharge of medically fit patients from home".

Black alerts are the highest of a five-tier response system resulting in staff in non-acute departments having to be diverted, as well as the enlistment of agency staff and, in the most drastic of cases, the military. The warning may also mean patients' relatives and loved ones are encouraged to get them discharged early instead of waiting for care packages once they have recovered.

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The hospital trust issued a warning to Welsh residents urging them not to attend hospital unless absolutely vital. Currently they are asking people only attend if they are suffering breathing difficulties, severe pain of bleeding, chest pains, suspected heart attack or stroke or serious injury.

In a statement, the health board said: "To support colleagues to prioritise the care and immediate needs of patients who require urgent medical attention, we are appealing to members of the public within the communities to use services appropriately. There has been a recent increase in patients self-presenting with long-standing medical issues that can be effectively managed outside of the emergency unit and/or a hospital setting."