MORRISTON Hospital has declared a Business Continuity Incident (BCI) — the highest level of escalation — due to unprecedented pressures on its emergency and unscheduled care services. Over 80 patients are currently awaiting beds, prompting the hospital to take this extraordinary measure.
Responding to the incident, Sam Rowlands MS, Shadow Minister for Health, said: “This will doubtless be a distressing time for patients and staff, and shows the huge pressures on our NHS.
“Unfortunately, while the health service is the most important thing the Welsh Government is in charge of, they have spent too much time focusing on other, less important things. The Welsh Conservatives will boost the NHS workforce as part of our plan to deliver the NHS Wales deserves and put an end to incidents like these.”
Dr Mark Ramsey, Medical Director at Morriston, highlighted that every effort is being made to discharge patients who no longer require acute care to make beds available for the severely ill.
The hospital anticipates high demand to continue in the coming days, driven by colder weather conditions. The public is urged to avoid the Emergency Department unless they have life-threatening conditions such as:
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Chest pain or suspected stroke
- Severe pain or bleeding
- Serious trauma injuries
For less urgent issues, alternatives like the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Neath Port Talbot Hospital, the NHS Wales 111 online symptom checker, or local pharmacies are advised.
Dr Ramsey also appealed to families: “Loved ones can support us by assisting with patient discharge. Promptly going home aids recovery and reduces risks linked to prolonged hospital stays, such as infection.”
Approximately 300 patients in Swansea Bay hospitals have completed their medical treatment but remain in hospital beds due to waiting for support or care packages. The health board is working with local authorities to expedite discharge and ease hospital capacity.
What is a Business Continuity Incident?
A Business Continuity Incident (BCI) is an emergency measure activated only under exceptional circumstances, where the normal functioning of services is severely compromised. Declaring a BCI enables the hospital to prioritize critical patients and adapt resources rapidly to manage overwhelming demand. This status allows Morriston Hospital to streamline processes, focus resources on acute care needs, and implement temporary solutions to reduce strain on the healthcare system.
