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Covid-19: North of Wales health board Betsi Cadwaladr further restricts hospital access after outbreaks

10 Sep 2021 3 minute read
Eric Jones / Ysbyty Gwynedd / CC BY-SA 2.0

Betsi Cadwaladr, the north of Wales’ health board, has further restricted access to hospitals after Covid-19 outbreaks.

The regulation change will come into effect immediately. Entering some hospitals will only be permitted if it is absolutely necessary, such as attending an outpatient appointment or if you require emergency treatment.

The hospitas are Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, Ysbyty Eryri Caernarfon, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan and Ysbyty Llandudno.

Gill Harris, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: “We are continuing to manage Covid-19 outbreaks.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, our visiting guidance has been kept under close review and is informed by community Covid-19 transmission rates, hospital Covid-19 admission numbers and hospital outbreaks.

“Due to the growing numbers of positive patients, both in our hospitals and in our communities, we have therefore taken the decision to further restrict access into our hospitals. This will come into effect immediately.

“Entering the hospitals named above will only be permitted if it is absolutely necessary, such as attending an outpatient appointment or if you require emergency treatment.

“This decision will not impact the visiting guidelines in place for our maternity, paediatrics and neonatal services or wards at Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

“Exceptional visiting requests such as visiting a relative who are at end of life must be made directly with the ward and will require an individual risk assessment to be completed both in advance of and on arrival of an agreed visit to keep patients, staff and visitors safe.

“All patients attending outpatient appointments or the Emergency Department should do so alone – unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as a patient requiring a carer or parent, having learning difficulties.”

Anyone with concerns should contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service by telephoning 03000 851234 Monday to Friday between 9am – 5pm or emailing [email protected]

Earlier this week Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said rising numbers of Covid patients at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital meant three of the hospital’s wards have been temporarily shut.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has also suspended some services and restricted access to some wards due to “widespread system pressures” on its hospitals. One ward at Glangwli Hospital has been shut.

‘Rapid spread’

Earlier today First Minister Mark Drakeford said a decision will be made over the next seven days on possible changes to Covid restrictions but claimed “there is nothing inevitable” about an October lockdown.

Speaking at today’s Government press briefing Mr Drakeford highlighted concern over the rise in Covid cases since Wales entered alert level zero six weeks ago, with case rates now standing at 522 per 100,000 people, the highest since December last year when the last lockdown was introduced.

“If the virus continues to spread at its current rate, we can expect to see around 3,200 cases confirmed every day as this wave peaks towards the end of the month,” Mr Drakeford said.

“Until now, this rise has been manageable, because our fantastic vaccination programme has helped to weaken the link between infection and serious illness.

“But with the rapid spread of coronavirus in our communities, pandemic pressure on the NHS is increasing once again.”

Mr Drakeford confirmed there are about 40 hospital admissions every day, with just over 420 confirmed cases in hospitals across Wales – the highest since March and added that modelling suggests “there could be 100 new Covid-19 hospital admissions every day” as the Delta wave peaks.


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Grayham Jones
2 years ago

Close all borders with England

Maggie Higgins
Maggie Higgins
2 years ago

What about planned operations?

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