LAST month was the second busiest on record for attendances to emergency departments, Welsh Government confirm.

On July 22, the latest NHS Wales performance data was published, which showed the extreme pressures on emergency care services.

In June, more calls were made to the ambulance service than in any month since the pandemic began - one in 13 of which were life-threatening, red calls which is the highest proportion on record.

Figures show that in June, in North Wales alone, a total of 660 red calls were made resulting in emergency response at the scene. Of which 57.0 per cent were there within eight minutes.

There is a target for 65 per cent of these calls to have a response within 8 minutes.

The Welsh Conservatives say the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board continues to be the nation’s worst performing as new figures show 4,000 people in North Wales are waiting more than two years for treatment.

Statistics published revealed that in June, the health board had:

• The worst-performing A&E department in Wales, with only 65% of people being seen within four hours, compared to the 95% target, which has never been met in its 12-year existence;

• Fewer than a third of “amber” calls saw an ambulance arrive within 30 minutes; and

• More people waiting over a year for treatment than any other health board in Wales, with one-in-three of those on patient pathways waiting longer than 12 months for treatment.

In relation to therapy services, in May 2021 the Betsi health board had a total of 11,627 of which 445 waited over 24 weeks, 613 waited over 14 and up to 24 weeks, 1,581 waited over eight and up to 14 weeks and 8,988 waited up to eight weeks.

The news comes just months after the-then Health Minister Vaughan Gething pulled the board out of special measures, where it had languished for five years under direct Welsh Government control.

Across Wales, the figures showed a 600,000-strong backlog in the NHS, with one-in-four patients waiting over a year for treatment.

Welsh Conservative and Shadow Minister for North Wales Darren Millar MS, said: “While the NHS in North Wales has done an incredible job throughout the pandemic these statistics are very concerning and demonstrate once again that the Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board needs more resources and support to improve its performance.

"The people of North Wales were surprised to see the Health Board taken out of special measures in advance of the Senedd elections and today's figures suggest that the decision to do so was premature.

"The people of North Wales need to know what action the Welsh Government will now take to resolve issues in the region so that they can access timely care when they need it without languishing on a waiting list or waiting for an ambulance in an emergency situation."

The Leader previously reported Health Minister Eluned Morgan has set out plans to transform the delivery of urgent and emergency care in Wales, during an exceptionally challenging time for services.

The ‘six goals for urgent and emergency care’ are:

  • Coordination, planning and support for people at greater risk of needing urgent or emergency care
  • Signposting to the right place, first time
  • Alternatives to hospital admission
  • Rapid response in a physical or mental health crisis
  • Optimal hospital care following admission
  • Home-first approach and reduce risk of readmission

Earlier this month extreme pressures on the Welsh Ambulance Service meant it had to declare a ‘business continuity incident’.

The Trust had been receiving in the region of 2,000 calls per day via 999 over three days and life-threatening calls were also up.

Sally Baxter, Associate Director of BCUHB’s Coronavirus Coordination Unit, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our ability to provide timely care and we sincerely apologise to people who have waited much longer than we would like for treatment.

“We know how hard this has been for people who have patiently waited for planned care, sometimes in very difficult circumstances. We are doing our best to reach as many people as quickly as possible, ensuring those with the highest clinical need are prioritised for treatment at the earliest opportunity.

“There are a number of factors which are having a significant impact on our ability to respond to demand. These include, alongside the general increase in demand which is being seen across the country, an increase in the number of people hospitalised with the Delta variant; staff absence due to sickness and self-isolation; and the ongoing need to maintain social distancing in our hospitals.

“We are also facing extremely high demand for care at our Emergency Departments. People across North Wales can help reduce pressure on our services by choosing the most appropriate place to get support when they need it. This can include their local Minor Injuries Unit, Community Pharmacy, or the NHS 111 Wales service. Please call NHS 111 Wales if your condition is urgent, but you feel it is not life threatening, or if you need urgent medical attention from a GP outside their normal opening hours and cannot wait until the next working day.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The latest data shows the pressure on emergency care services is growing beyond pre-pandemic levels and putting a huge strain on NHS staff. We urge people to think carefully about what the right choice of care is for their condition – this may not necessarily be their GP or local emergency department. To get the right care, first time people can use the 111 service and their local pharmacist where appropriate.

“The Health Minister has set out plans to improve urgent and emergency care and help people access the right care, in the right place. These plans are supported by an extra £25m a year and will help improve patient outcomes and staff experience, as well as relieving pressure on the NHS. We will work with health boards to accelerate delivery of these plans ahead of winter.

“We welcome the improved performance against the 62-day cancer target. However, waiting lists for planned treatment continue to grow as the service deals with the impact of the pandemic. Our recovery plans, backed by immediate and initial funding of £100m, are in place and we continue to work closely with NHS Wales.”