HEALTH chiefs at Hywel Dda today (Monday, January 6) cancelled all inpatient operations at its major hospitals - Bronglais, Glangwili, Prince Philip and Withybush - due to an unprecedented demand on its services.

The health authority said it had been ‘an extraordinary weekend for our health service’, with huge pressure across all of its hospital A&E departments, GPs and community services.

A statement said: “In the interest of patient safety, Hywel Dda University Health Board has made the decision to cancel inpatient operations today (Monday 6 January 2020) at Bronglais, Glangwili, Prince Philip and Withybush hospitals.

“All outpatient appointments are continuing as normal.

“We are contacting patients affected directly so please attend as planned if you do not hear from us. Otherwise, please do not contact our appointments or outpatient teams unless absolutely necessary as they are very busy at this time.

“If you are unwell, please be aware that you may experience long waits for a GP appointment and at our A&E or MIU units at this time, for which we wholeheartedly apologise. If there are other services you can use, such as community pharmacies, please do so.”

Dr Philip Kloer, medical director at Hywel Dda UHB, said: “First I’d like to thank all my NHS colleagues across our hospitals, primary care and in the community for their commitment to our patients at this highly pressurised time.

“This weekend saw our hospitals at a level of escalation not seen before and it is in the interest of patient safety that we have postponed planned operations today. I understand this may be frustrating for those who have waited for their operation and I apologise for this.

“In response to the pressures being experienced today, we are redeploying staff to areas where additional support is needed, including contacting staff currently on leave. We are also working with our colleagues in the local authority and the families of those well enough to be discharged to ensure our medically well can go home or to an appropriate care setting as soon as possible.”

Patients are asked not to attend an emergency department or GP practice with symptoms of an infectious illness such diarrhoea, vomiting, fever or symptoms of flu. Flu and norovirus for the majority of people can be treated safely at home.

However, if you are vulnerable (very young, frail elderly, living with long term or chronic conditions) or your symptoms worsen, seek medical advice.