Jason Killens, chief executive of Welsh Ambulance Service, emphasized the urgent need for the public to 'drink sensibly' during New Year celebrations to alleviate pressure on emergency services, which recently faced a significant backlog. He articulated the challenges posed by winter viruses and the inability of ambulance staff to quickly handover patients, urging the community to only call for emergencies. “The pressure across the urgent and emergency care in the NHS is well documented,” he stated, highlighting the strains on healthcare during festive periods.
Killens also noted that many medically fit patients were stuck waiting for social care support, which further exacerbated the system's stress. This ongoing situation contributes significantly to ambulance delays, as emergency services hold vehicles awaiting patient handovers, sometimes resulting in over 340 calls backlog. His comments reflect a systemic problem: “It's caused by many factors...some associated with patients that are medically fit for discharge being unable to get back into the communities.”
Despite the distressing reports of long wait times, Mr. Killens reassured the public that they were actively addressing the situation and were focused on prioritizing patients in need. He referenced the strategies implemented to manage the pressure, such as having healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses, and paramedics—offer urgent advice over the phone. This approach is critical to ensure that emergency responses are reserved for the most serious cases, pointing to a more efficient use of resources under strain.
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