People have been urged to take precautions
A Welsh health board has declared a “critical incident” as Storm Goretti rolls in. With amber and yellow weather alerts coming into force on Thursday evening for snow across much of Wales health bosses are preparing for an increased pressure on services over the coming days.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), which is responsible for healthcare across north Wales, said it has plans in place to support patients, staff, and services over the coming days. Follow all the latest updates on the weather here.
They said it was being treated as an “internal critical incident” to ensure “the necessary support to our services, staff, and patients” can be provided.
A BCUHB statement said: “With severe weather forecast over the coming days we are advising people to keep themselves well and take extra care if travelling to hospital for an appointment.”
Thursday’s statement added: “The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow, ice, and cold conditions in north Wales from this evening into tomorrow morning.
“Some areas, especially higher ground, may see five to 20cm of snow, icy roads, and travel disruption.
“Our hospitals remain incredibly busy at this time as we continue to manage the usual winter demand placed on our services.
“Alongside this we have faced additional pressures from seasonal infections and respiratory viruses as well as the impact of the adverse weather that hit the region last weekend.
“As a result of this the health board is putting plans in place to ensure services are fully supported during this time to minimise any potential disruption.
“We are proactively treating this as an internal critical incident to ensure we can provide the necessary support to our services, staff, and patients and keep any disruption to a minimum.”
The health board urged people to plan ahead if attending appointments or hospitals, reports NorthWalesLive.
Anyone with an appointment should attend unless advised otherwise by the health board, it said.
Patients will be contacted directly if any appointments or clinics need to be rescheduled.
“We would also ask people to check our local health services information to ensure they access care and support at the most appropriate place if they need it.
“There are a range of services available to people such as NHS 111 Wales, our minor injury units, and pharmacies, that can be accessed quickly and without an appointment, ” the statement added.
“If you’re out and about over the next few days ensure you wrap up warm and wear appropriate footwear as some pavements could be icy and increase the chances of slips and falls.
“We would also encourage people to check on older people or those living alone. The cold weather increases the risk of hypothermia, especially amongst the elderly, as well as increasing the risk of injury such as slipping or falling in icy conditions.”
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