Swansea Bay’s three main hospitals — Morriston Hospital, Singleton Hospital and Neath Port Talbot Hospital — have declared a Business Continuity Incident, the Health Board’s highest level of escalation. The Health Board says wards across all sites are now full, with bed pressures reaching critical levels.
The Health Board says staff are working urgently to discharge patients who have completed their treatment, but delays in community services are slowing the process and creating a backlog for patients waiting for a bed.
Families asked to help free up beds
The Health Board says the situation has become so pressured that families’ support is now essential to help free up space.
A Swansea Bay University Health Board spokesperson said:
“If you have a loved one who has completed their treatment and they’ve been told they can leave hospital, please do everything you can to support their discharge.
By providing this vital support you’ll not only be helping us to provide timely care to those patients who are waiting for a bed, but you’ll be helping your loved one to recover better.”
Why staying in hospital too long can harm recovery
The Health Board says remaining in hospital after treatment is complete can slow recovery, weaken muscles, increase the risk of infection and affect mental wellbeing.
A Swansea Bay University Health Board spokesperson said:
“Hospital is the best place to be for anyone needing acute care following a serious illness, injury or surgery.
But once treatment is complete, returning home as soon as possible helps people feel more like themselves.”
Staff working to manage the pressure
The Health Board says its teams across Swansea Bay’s hospitals and community services are “pulling out all the stops” to manage the pressure, but the situation remains extremely challenging.
