Betsi health board issues alert as emergency departments under 'extreme pressure'

The North Wales health board has issued a plea to the public due to "extreme pressure" at emergency departments. Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board has posted a message warning that emergency departments currently have "extremely" long delays.

People are being urged to "choose the most appropriate place to access care". Waits of up to 10 hours are currently being reported at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan on the online NHS checker.

One person has told North Wales Live that a family member had now been waiting 20 hours at Glan Clwyd with suspected sepsis and had still not been admitted or received dedicated care. He described the whole situation as a "fiasco". This comes after a very busy Bank Holiday weekend, with the local population swelled by thousands of visitors,

A spokesperson said: "Our Emergency Departments across North Wales are extremely busy at present and people could face extremely long waits. Our hospitals are under extreme pressure and we would urge people to choose the most appropriate place to access care and support to help avoid any delays.

"If you can, use NHS Wales 111 online symptom checker for advice. If you or a friend or loved one have a life-threatening condition, or are seriously injured you must go to your nearest emergency department as soon as possible."