On December 30, 2024, the Welsh Ambulance Service declared a “critical incident” because of a huge rise in emergency calls and long delays in patient handovers at hospitals. This rare situation caused over 340 calls to be waiting for an answer, and more than half of the ambulances were delayed in hospitals, waiting to transfer patients. This issue made it harder for the ambulance service to respond to calls on time.
Impact on Patients
Because of the critical incident, many people had to wait longer for an ambulance to arrive. Some patients had to wait for several hours, which is much longer than usual. The Welsh Ambulance Service said that it was sorry about the delays and that it is not the level of care they aim to provide. The staff worked hard to deal with the situation, but the high number of emergencies made it very difficult to manage.
How the Welsh Ambulance Service Works
The Welsh Ambulance Service is part of the NHS and plays a key role in helping people in urgent need of medical care. They handle emergency calls, provide paramedics and ambulances to the scene of an accident or medical issue, and take people to hospitals. They also help with non-emergency transportation for patients who need to go to doctors’ appointments or other medical services. The service covers the entire country, ensuring people can get the care they need quickly.
The ambulance service works around the clock, answering calls and sending ambulances as fast as they can. They follow strict guidelines to make sure that the most serious cases are treated first. For example, someone having a heart attack or a serious injury gets an ambulance right away. But sometimes, like in this case, there are so many calls coming in that the service cannot get to everyone in time.
Why the Critical Incident Happened
The critical incident happened because there were too many emergency calls, especially during the winter season. The flu and other illnesses, like COVID-19, were spreading fast. These illnesses made many people sick, and a lot of them needed urgent medical care. At the same time, hospitals were full, and ambulances were stuck outside, waiting to drop off patients.
Jason Killens, who is in charge of the Welsh Ambulance Service, explained that the combination of more people getting sick and the hospitals being full created a very tough situation. This led to the high number of calls and the long delays. The Welsh Ambulance Service said they were doing everything they could to improve things and asked people to only call 999 if it was a real emergency.
What the Public Was Asked to Do
During the critical incident, the Welsh Ambulance Service asked the public for help. They urged people to only call for an ambulance if they were facing life-threatening issues, like a heart attack, breathing problems, or serious accidents. The service asked everyone to consider other options for less urgent problems. For example, people could use the NHS 111 service, which is available online or by phone, to get advice on non-urgent medical needs.
They also recommended visiting a GP, a pharmacist, or a minor injuries unit for conditions that were not life-threatening but still needed care. This advice was given to help ease the pressure on ambulances and make sure that the most urgent calls got the attention they needed.
The Strain of High Demand
The Welsh Ambulance Service has faced high demand for many years. The growing number of people needing medical care, especially older adults, means that there are more calls for ambulances. Winter months bring more sickness, like flu and colds, which only add to the pressure. The service has to respond to many different types of emergencies, from accidents to heart attacks to people needing medical transport to hospitals.
At the same time, the ambulance service also deals with challenges like not having enough staff and resources. There have been ongoing concerns about whether the service can keep up with the increasing demand. This critical incident shows just how tough it can be for emergency services when too many people need help at once.
Previous Critical Incidents
This is not the first time that the Welsh Ambulance Service has declared a critical incident. In December 2020, the service also faced a huge increase in calls, especially in the southeast of Wales, and had to call a critical incident. Similarly, in October 2023, an ambulance had to wait more than 28 hours outside a hospital, highlighting the struggles faced by emergency services. These incidents have shown the need for long-term solutions to improve ambulance response times and hospital capacity.
Winter Health Issues
During the winter months, more people get sick, and this puts extra pressure on the Welsh Ambulance Service. Flu and other viruses, like COVID-19, spread more easily in cold weather, and many people who get sick need medical care quickly. Hospitals fill up, and there are fewer beds available for patients. This makes it even harder for ambulances to transfer patients to hospitals.
Because of these issues, the Welsh Ambulance Service has to work harder to meet the needs of everyone. In this case, the high number of emergency calls, the spread of viruses, and the strain on hospitals all combined to create a crisis. The service had to declare a critical incident to manage the situation.
How the Public Can Help
The Welsh Ambulance Service needs the support of the public to make sure that emergency services are available for those who need them the most. The service asked people to be careful and consider other options for minor issues, such as visiting a GP or using NHS 111. They also advised people to drink sensibly, eat before going out, and look out for their friends to help reduce demand during the busy holiday period.
These steps can make a big difference in making sure that ambulances are available for people who are seriously ill or injured. Public cooperation is key to easing the pressure on the service.
Moving Forward: What the Welsh Ambulance Service Is Doing
The Welsh Ambulance Service is always working on ways to improve its services. They are looking for better ways to respond to emergencies, including new technologies to help them manage calls and send ambulances faster. They are also focused on training staff to handle all types of emergencies, ensuring that paramedics and EMTs are ready for any situation.
At the same time, the service is working with hospitals to improve patient handovers and make sure that ambulances can get back on the road more quickly. This is an important part of improving response times and reducing delays.
The Challenges Ahead
The Welsh Ambulance Service faces many challenges, but it remains committed to providing high-quality care to everyone in Wales. The recent critical incident showed just how difficult it can be when demand is too high. By cooperating with the public and focusing on improvements, the service hopes to overcome these challenges and continue providing fast, effective care.
The increase in winter illnesses, the growing number of people needing care, and the pressure on hospitals are all factors that make it harder for emergency services to respond quickly. However, with the support of the public and continued improvements, the Welsh Ambulance Service can continue to serve the people of Wales.
