Ambulance service declares critical incident

Following a period of sustained and significant demand, the Welsh Ambulance Service declared a critical incident at 12:00 on Friday, 26 June.

At the time the incident was declared, there were a significant number of outstanding 999 calls awaiting an ambulance response, including patients with serious and life-threatening conditions.

The declaration follows one of the busiest periods of sustained pressure the service has experienced this year.

Call volume this week has increased by 31% compared to the same period two weeks ago, with yesterday more than 50% higher. In this week alone, the Service has received around 400 more emergency 999 calls per day.

The declaration is in conjunction with increased pressure being seen across the wider NHS in Wales, following the current spell of hot weather.

Judith Bryce, Assistant Director of Operations, said: “By declaring a critical incident, it allows our teams to focus our efforts and resources on patients who are experiencing the most serious and life-threatening emergencies.

“People contacting us with less serious conditions are likely to experience longer waits. In some cases, patients may be clinically assessed and advised to seek alternative care, rather than an ambulance being dispatched.

“We are asking the public to support us during this time by only calling 999 in a genuine, life‑threatening emergency.”

If you are unwell or have a minor injury, you can visit the NHS 111 Wales website or try Albot - The NHS Wales Digital assistant, which can help you find answers to most questions and can help you access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Although temperatures are expected to fall over the coming days, demand for ambulance services is expected to remain high.

The Trust will continue to implement all available measures to restore normal service as quickly and safely as possible.

While the warm weather continues, the Welsh Ambulance Service is encouraging people to take simple steps to protect their health by staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged exposure during the hottest parts of the day, and checking in on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbours.

The Trust would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding, and our staff for their continued professionalism and dedication during this exceptionally challenging period.