Ambulances have spent '350 hours' this week queuing at hospital as winter pressures grow

Wrexham's Maelor Hospital is experiencing a build-up of massive winter pressures which have seen queues of ambulances waiting outside A&E.

In addition, the hospital recently had to close most of its wards to visitors following an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug norovirus.

Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton says the Welsh Government is asking health boards to cut spending by 10 per cent despite a "significant funding settlement" from Central Government.

She said: "Since the recent influx of the norovirus, we’ve witnessed the Maelor Hospital under extreme pressure.

"In ‘normal’ circumstances, accident and emergency waiting times are completely unacceptable, having had first-hand experience of this myself only recently.

"But now, we are witnessing ambulance waiting times outside the Maelor spanning over a day, with 17 ambulances queuing becoming a regular occurrence."

She added that despite the "significant funding settlement from the UK Government", the Welsh Labour Government "simply is not prioritising spending on health".

She added: "Rather, the Labour Health Minister is requesting for health boards to cut spending by a staggering 10 per cent whilst admitting that there will be significant health pressures this winter.

"What this means for local residents is that not only will bed numbers be reduced and ambulance waiting times continue to rise, but certain surgeries at the Maelor will be cancelled and rescheduled. Sadly, I have heard nothing that reassures me that the situation will improve.”

But a spokesperson for the Welsh Government said the MP's comments are "ill-informed at best."

“These comments are ill-informed at best.

"We’re facing the toughest financial situation since devolution as a result of 13 years of this UK Government.

“But despite the extreme pressures on our budget we have provided additional funding to support the NHS.

"We are investing in same-day emergency care and extra community beds as well as integrated solutions with social care services to help improve patient flow through hospitals and tackle ambulance handover delays.”

And the trust that runs Maelor hospital said the health and social care system across Wales is under "significant and sustained pressure."

Adele Gittoes, interim executive director of operations at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “The health and social care system across Wales is experiencing significant and sustained pressure as we head into winter.

"This is having an impact on patient flow within our hospitals, waiting times in our emergency departments, and on our ability to accept new patients from our Welsh Ambulance Service colleagues.

"We are continuing to work closely with colleagues across the health and social care system and Welsh Government to identify ways to alleviate these pressures and improve the experience of our patients.

“It has been particularly challenging for urgent and emergency care across North Wales in recent days, with many patients presenting at our emergency departments requiring more complex care and treatment.

"We are sorry that patients have experienced longer than usual waiting times, despite the best efforts of our hard working staff.

“We would urge the public to only attend the emergency department for emergency conditions and injuries.

"Patients who do not need full emergency treatment may find that they can get appropriate advice and care from other NHS services, including GP surgeries, minor injury units and local pharmacies. Please contact NHS 111 or visit the health board website if you are unsure where to go.”

A spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance Service said its crews have spent 350 hours in total waiting to take patients into Wrexham Maelor Hospital this week alone, the longest wait being 17 hours.

They said there were 13 ambulances outside the emergency department at its peak on Monday afternoon.

Stephen Sheldon, the Welsh Ambulance Service's interim head of service in North Wales, said: “Handover delays are as frustrating for crews as they are for patients, and not just the patients on board the vehicle but other patients in the community waiting many, many hours for our help because we simply can’t get there.

“We’ve spent 350 hours waiting to take patients into Wrexham Maelor Hospital this week alone, the longest wait being 17 hours.

“There were 13 ambulances outside the emergency department at its peak on Monday afternoon.

“Despite ongoing efforts over the years, hospital handover delays remain a serious and long-standing issue.

“What’s clear is that we need bold decisions as a whole system to truly effect change, and we welcome whatever intervention can be made by health board partners and Welsh Government to improve the picture as we head further to winter.”