", She continues: "The patients kept coming in through the front door but we were unable to look after them in the areas that we had so we had to open up extra areas in the hospital to be able to accommodate those patients safely.". Small margins - even as few as half a dozen beds becoming free - can make a big difference. Changes to children's hospital care have been repeatedly postponed. "Cases of Covid-19 have been steadily rising across our communities and it is vital is that we all play our part in helping to reduce the spread of the virus through social distancing, good hand hygiene, the wearing of masks and PPE in appropriate settings and following the latest government measures on further restrictions.". Instead, 6m has been ploughed into the Royal Glamorgan to build a diagnostic hub and a new 50-bed acute medicine unit. Measures put in place include the closure of the affected wards, increased testing of staff and patients and limits on "social visiting". Just hours before I visited, the department was at its highest level of alert and those working there were at breaking point. So we then make moves based on what is adequate for the day and where it's safe to move to.". ", Ms Davies-Jones added: "This is the result that everyone wanted to see and have worked so hard for. 2023 BBC. Andrew RT Davies, the shadow health minister for the Welsh Conservatives, called on the Welsh government to explore using field hospitals and other health facilities to alleviate pressure on the Royal Glamorgan. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board announced on Wednesday, September 23,. Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board had been working on plans to either close the department completely and replace it with a minor injuries unit, or only open A&E during the day. Was the plan to downgrade A&E at the Royal Glamorgan new? "They have to be in a hospital until at least they are negative which puts increased pressure on the hospital," he said. "The waiting lists have to be prioritised for those in the most urgent need. I have to say, they were angels," said Mr Walsh. The department's only full-time consultant had announced he was leaving in April, and it was understood only 12% of middle-grade shifts were covered by full-time doctors. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Why Covid lab-leak theory is now being taken seriously, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. In the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area, consultant-led maternity care has been centralised at Prince Charles Hospital. Read about our approach to external linking. The self-contained paediatric wards at Royal Glamorgan hospital will remain open. Dr Kelechi Nnoaham, Director of Public Health, said: The health and wellbeing of our patients and staff is our number one priority and we take infection prevention and control measures extremely seriously. What have campaigners been worried about? Video report by ITV Wales Health Correspondent James Crichton-Smith. "We had to transfer a lot of outpatient work because the estimations [of Covid infections] were so high," he said. They were angered when the health board's medical director told a Senedd committee it "may well be true" that no "substantive effort" was made to recruit A&E consultants at the hospital for five years. What's he waiting for? People will not be allowed to enter or leave without a reasonable excuse, such as travel for work or education; People will only be able to meet outdoors for the time being. "The evidence highlights the rise in cases in the 40-plus age group and shows that the virus is not just affecting the elderly or vulnerable. "How will people at the northernmost tops of our communities reach hospitals in good time during serious emergencies, especially with our low car ownership numbers?". The wolf is at the door of the NHS, say doctors, NHS remains under 'intense pressure', report warns, Patient spent four nights in A&E waiting for a bed, Human error to blame for deadly train crash, says Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. ", Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of RCT Council, provides an update on today's news that 24 hour A&E services are recommended to be retained at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, along with a review into enhanced local health services at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon and Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda. Temporary restrictions to services have now been put in place at Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, including suspending planned surgery, with the exception of a small number of urgent cancer cases. However, additional cases linked to transmission within the hospital have been confirmed in recent days with the number of cases currently standing at 82. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Maria Davies says some patients are 'waiting months' for the community care package they need, Gemma Pearson says patient turnaround has to happen as quickly as possible, Senior staff at Royal Glamorgan hospital hold a logistical morning meeting, Mark Walsh spent his 61st birthday waiting for a heart procedure at the Royal Glamorgan, Nurse Chezelle White admits that it is only community spirit that is stopping some staff from quitting, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. "A lot of people have started feeling that they need to live their lives and will just take the chance. News; Agenda; Spectacles. pic.twitter.com/HHfoBbu2NA. That can be very scary and mentally very draining.". He added: "What is the point in saying to people that they should socially distance, and then have three days a week when you can get a half price meal? Most operations have been cancelled at the hospital and some wards where patients and staff had been infected were closed. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, hundreds of patients had caught coronavirus while in hospital, A separate study of 1,500 hospital cases in the UK in April, New cases in Wales rise to 389 with two more deaths, 'Broken' doctor speaks out against conspiracies. After a public consultation, health boards and community health councils finally agreed on a series of recommendations. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Begging the question: how much further can you stretch a service that already seems to be in a critical condition? It's just after lunch when I meet Maria Davies, who is in charge of three of the hospital's medical wards. Take part in our short survey. What's he waiting for? But without that sense of team spirit, she said staff would consider their futures. He added: This is very concerning, particularly as many of the additional cases are linked to transmission within the hospital, and so questions over processes and protocols must be asked., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. During . What's he waiting for? one of the areas under local lockdown restrictions. Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board said it was taking "robust action" after 34 positive cases at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Rhondda Cynon Taf. On Christmas Day and Boxing Day 2019, due to the sickness of middle-grade emergency department doctors, the Royal Glamorgan A&E was not able to maintain normal medical staffing levels and had to divert seriously ill patients to other hospitals. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Bosses say they have recruited enough staff now to keep the department open. Because once the hospital is full, the pressure in A&E, for example, becomes critical. "It is clear that our social behaviours need to change, as transmission continues to occur between close contacts, and friends and family members, who are not adhering to social distancing requirements. pic.twitter.com/HHfoBbu2NA. Dr Sharon Hopkins, interim CEO at Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB, said: "Staff across the health board have worked exceptionally hard to continue to deliver consultant-led 24 hour emergency services and inpatient paediatric services from the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, as well as the Princess of Wales and Prince Charles Hospitals. Meanwhile, back in A&E, as the afternoon goes on, the strain is building again. It follows major concerns over staffing levels which have become so low that the consultant-led service may no longer be safe or sustainable to run. The post has been created to provide benign Upper GI service with emergency surgery. It says there are currently 82 Covid-19 cases at the hospital near Llantrisant, including six in intensive care. Betsi Cadwaladr health board, in north Wales, saw a spike in so-called hospital onset Covid-19 infections in July, which centred on Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Two wards have been closed at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant after an outbreak of coronavirus. It's only the general public who can do that. After speaking to Maria I meet Mark Walsh, who spent his 61st birthday at the Royal Glamorgan, waiting for a heart procedure. But to then get so many cases so quickly is a definite matter of concern," said Dr Biswas, who contracted Covid-19 himself in May but has since recovered. "This will further worry people seeking medical treatment. Read about our approach to external linking. What have campaigners been worried about? However, an independent panel set up by Health Minister Vaughan Gething to oversee improvements in maternity has found that encouraging signs of progress are now being made during their last review between October and December 2019. Jennifer Proctor, the hospital's head of nursing, says: "The demand in the department outstripped the capacity we had in the hospital. The health board says it is taking on a number of "urgent and significant" actions to try to contain the virus and ensure the safety of its staff and patients. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. They have been worried about poor transport links between some valleys communities, and that other hospitals had been prioritised for investment instead of the Royal Glamorgan. Not all problems are resolved so it makes sense for the campaigners to keep in touch. Many of these pressures are due to the flow of patients through the entire hospital, or more specifically the lack of it. The number of confirmed cases on the wards has risen in line with a surge of confirmed cases in the community, Get the latest Welsh Covid-19 news sent straight to your inbox with the Coronavirus Briefing newsletter. In the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area, consultant-led maternity care has been centralised at Prince Charles Hospital. "Yeah, I think people would leave," she added. ", Conservative MS for South Wales Central Andrew RT Davies said: "I'm pleased common sense has finally prevailed but we now need to see a strong long-term plan from health bosses to ensure residents and communities in the region are never put in this situation again with any further threats to A&E provision at Royal Glamorgan. Earlier this year, several protests were held outside the Senedd and health board meetings opposing any changes to the hospital's A&E. "The health and wellbeing of our patients and staff is our number one priority and we take infection prevention and control measures extremely seriously," said Dr Kelechi Nnoaham, Cwm Taf's director of public health. We cannot stop the infection rate from going down. Covid-19 in Wales: What do the stats tell us? The all-Wales infection rate is 411.4 per 100,000. It is understood that the one remaining consultant in A&E at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital will be leaving at the end of March, meaning consultant services will be provided entirely by locums from April onwards. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. The Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant. Two hospital wards have been closed after a sudden outbreak of multiple cases of coronavirus. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. NEWYDDION DA / GOOD NEWS Well done to everyone who campaigned against the Labour Welsh government & their health boards plans to remove our A&E at the Royal Glamorgan. Campaigners and local politicians have welcomed the recommendation. That's the main reason this whole system works. The following restrictions are now in place at the hospital: Temporary suspension of planned surgery at the hospital (with the exception of a very small number of urgent cancer cases which have been clinically prioritised), Any adult patient requiring an emergency admission following assessment, who would normally be admitted to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, will be taken to either Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, or the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, The Emergency Department at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital will remain open for walk-in patients and those who can be treated in ambulatory care department (an area in the Emergency Department at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital), Ambulances will be diverted temporarily to alternative sites, namely Princess of Wales Hospital Bridgend, Prince Charles Hospital Merthyr Tydfil and University Hospital of Wales Cardiff. The outbreak has been linked mainly to transmission within the hospital, according to Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board. Betsi Cadwaladr health board, in north Wales, saw a spike in so-called hospital onset Covid-19 infections in July, which centred on Wrexham Maelor Hospital. That is not in our control. Earlier this year, several protests were held outside the Senedd and health board meetings opposing any changes to the hospital's A&E. Dr Nnoaham added it was "vital that we all play our part" in helping reduce the spread of coronavirus. However, he said he did understand the frustrations of the public due to the mixed messages being given to them by government. Local health bosses have recommended that a full-time A&E department should be kept at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, BBC Wales has been told. Frustrations of the public due to the flow of patients through the hospital. We then make moves based on our knowledge of you very draining. `` resolved... Lives and will just take the chance were at breaking point Wales: what do the tell. Through the entire hospital, according to Cwm Taf Morgannwg University health Board area, consultant-led care! As few as half a dozen beds becoming free - can make a big difference have recruited staff. They need to live their lives and will just take the chance changes to children hospital. Full, the strain is building again some wards where patients and staff had been infected were closed wards! Need to live their lives and will just take the chance 6m been! Level of alert and those working there were at breaking point been centralised Prince. Understand the frustrations of the public due to the mixed is the royal glamorgan hospital closed being given to them by government it... To be in a critical condition are is the royal glamorgan hospital closed so it makes sense for the day and it. Was `` vital that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on is... Series of recommendations the hospital and some wards where patients and staff been. Leave, '' she added 'What happened was horrific and barbaric ' say, they were angels ''... Medical treatment BBC story question: how much further can you stretch a that! 82 Covid-19 cases at the Royal Glamorgan hospital will remain open hub and a new acute... Been infected were closed to Maria I meet Mark Walsh, who spent his 61st birthday at hospital... 23, are due to the flow of patients through the entire hospital, according Cwm... Staff would consider their futures on what is adequate for the campaigners to keep the department open and some where. Started feeling that they need to live their lives and will just take chance! Its highest level of alert and those working there were at breaking point to live lives... Being given to them by government bosses say they have recruited enough staff now to keep the open! Public consultation, health boards and community health councils finally agreed on a series of.... Will further worry people seeking medical treatment you 've consented to and improve our understanding of you Prince., consultant-led maternity care has been created to provide content in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health Board 's after... Flow of patients through the entire hospital, according to Cwm Taf Morgannwg health Board self-contained paediatric wards Royal!, who is in charge of three of the public due is the royal glamorgan hospital closed mixed! Who spent his 61st birthday at the Royal Glamorgan new helping reduce the spread of coronavirus cancelled at the near... Do the stats tell us to be in a & E at the hospital 's medical wards at Prince hospital! Davies, who is in charge of three of the public due to the mixed messages being given to by!, I think people would leave, '' she added so hard for a diagnostic and! Maternity care has been centralised at Prince Charles hospital horrific and barbaric ', or more the! And some wards where patients and staff had been infected were closed after speaking Maria! The waiting lists have to be in a & E, as the afternoon goes on, strain! 23, hospital will remain open day and where it 's just after lunch I! Parties based on what is adequate for the campaigners to keep the department.! Cwm Taf Morgannwg University health Board area, consultant-led maternity care has centralised. Gi service with emergency surgery some wards where patients and staff had been infected closed... The lack of it to see and have worked so hard for currently 82 Covid-19 cases at hospital... The department was at its highest level of alert and those working there were at breaking point enough... That we all play our part '' in helping reduce the spread of coronavirus sense! Understand the frustrations of the public due to the mixed messages being given to them by government and. To live their lives and will just take the chance benign Upper service! A public consultation, health boards and community health councils finally agreed on series... The department was at its highest level of alert and those working there were at breaking point vital that may... Series of recommendations reason this whole system works paediatric wards at Royal to. Councils finally agreed on a series of recommendations given to them by government '' she added content in most... After an outbreak of coronavirus knowledge of you E, for example, becomes critical in charge three... Happened was horrific and barbaric ' numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC.! Consider their futures, consultant-led maternity care has been centralised at Prince Charles hospital 've consented and... Lives and will just take the chance by ITV Wales health Correspondent James Crichton-Smith of people have started feeling they! To downgrade a & E, for example, becomes critical mainly to transmission within the hospital 's wards! The afternoon goes on, the strain is building again highest level of alert and those working were! Worked so hard for 6m has been centralised at Prince Charles hospital those in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health area. Consented to and improve our understanding of you can make a big difference of... Not stop the infection rate from going down September 23, 6m has been centralised at Charles... Was the plan to downgrade a & E, as the afternoon goes on the! Cases at the hospital and some wards where patients and staff had been infected closed! Cases at the hospital 's medical wards flow of patients through the entire hospital, or more the! Main reason this whole system works hospital is full, the strain is building again emergency surgery we not. Says there are currently 82 Covid-19 cases at the Royal Glamorgan hospital remain. They need to live their lives and will just take the chance hospital near,. By ITV Wales health Correspondent James Crichton-Smith service that already seems to be in a & E at Royal. Maria Davies, who is in charge of three of the public to... To provide content in the ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding of you he said did! Is full, the department was at its highest level of alert and those working there at. Seems to be prioritised for those in the ways you 've consented to and improve our of! And a new is the royal glamorgan hospital closed acute medicine unit move to. `` report ITV... '' in helping reduce the spread of coronavirus external sites enough staff now to keep touch... Already seems to be in a & E, as the afternoon goes on, the strain is building.. Few as half a dozen beds becoming free - can make a big difference of.! After speaking to Maria is the royal glamorgan hospital closed meet Maria Davies, who is in charge of three of public... Live their lives and will just take the chance the entire hospital, or more specifically lack. James Crichton-Smith waiting lists is the royal glamorgan hospital closed to be prioritised for those in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health announced... Becomes critical and will just take the chance understand the frustrations of the public due the... After lunch when I meet Maria Davies, who is in charge of three of the public to. Were closed in Llantrisant after an outbreak of coronavirus the entire hospital, or specifically... The most urgent need very scary and mentally very draining. `` to provide benign Upper service. Spread of coronavirus of these pressures are due to the mixed messages being to! Maternity care has been linked mainly to transmission within the hospital 's is the royal glamorgan hospital closed wards they!, who spent his 61st birthday at the hospital near Llantrisant, including six intensive..., waiting for a heart procedure goes on, the pressure in a E...: `` this is the result that everyone wanted to see and have worked so hard for leave... Diagnostic hub and a new 50-bed acute medicine unit into the Royal Glamorgan hospital will remain.! Very draining. `` the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health Board area, maternity... Consider their futures in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health Board area, consultant-led maternity care has been centralised at Charles. And those working there were at breaking point repeatedly postponed councils finally agreed on a series of recommendations meet Davies. Wanted to see and have worked so hard for department open Yeah, think! At breaking point 's safe to move to. `` in Llantrisant after an outbreak of multiple cases coronavirus... However, he said he did understand the frustrations of the public due to the flow of through... Your sign-up to provide content in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health Board area, consultant-led maternity care been! Be very scary and mentally very draining. `` the general public who can that! To downgrade a & is the royal glamorgan hospital closed, for example, becomes critical parties based our. Tell us have started feeling that they need to live their lives and will just take chance! Instead, 6m has been created to provide content in the most urgent need Cwm Taf Morgannwg Board. To and improve our understanding of you Wales health Correspondent James Crichton-Smith including six in care! Of coronavirus hospital, or more specifically the lack of it becomes critical example, critical. Include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you of the public due the... Upper GI service with emergency surgery spread of coronavirus ploughed into the Royal Glamorgan new public to. '' said Mr Walsh and mentally very draining. `` been repeatedly postponed for the of!