Health board declares incident as hospital faces exceptional pressure

A health board in Wales has declared a business continuity incident because services at a hospital are under "exceptional pressure." This means some planned appointments and procedures may be delayed, while emergency care remains available.

What changed and why

The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said the University Hospital of Wales is experiencing "exceptional pressure". To cope, the board may postpone some planned appointments and procedures. It will prioritise urgent, time-critical, and cancer care, as well as patients waiting a long time. The declaration signals extra steps to maintain safe care and manage demand, but services remain open and emergency care continues.

Who could be affected

Patients with planned or non-urgent appointments at the University Hospital of Wales may be contacted to reschedule. The board says it will continue planned care at other hospital sites where possible. Anyone who does not hear from the board should still attend their appointment if it’s due and use the NHS resources appropriate for their needs (GPs for non-emergency concerns, NHS 111 for urgent help. Community pharmacies for common illnesses).

Next steps for patients and the public

If you have an appointment affected by the postponement, you should expect to be contacted directly by the health board. Do not assume your appointment will be cancelled; you may be asked to move it. For non-urgent concerns, consider contacting your GP or using NHS 111 for guidance. If you need urgent or time-critical care, go to the emergency department as usual or seek help through NHS channels that match your situation.

Limits and questions to consider

The board says services remain open and emergency care is available, but it does not specify exactly which appointments will be postponed or how long delays might last. It also notes that some planned care will continue at other sites when possible. If you’re unsure whether your appointment is affected, contact the health board’s patient services or check any direct messages from the hospital.

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