Some GP surgeries in Newport have been reduced to essential appointments only due to "significant" staff illness. Both Brynmawr Medical Centre in Ebbw Vale and Bryngwyn Surgery in Newport have temporarily limited appointments to urgent and essential care only due to what Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said were "significant difficulties" caused by staff illnesses.
In a statement, the health board said patients wanting to attend the surgeries would still be seen if they needed a doctor urgently, but advised people to contact the surgeries by phone before attending. It comes after Wales reported a sharp rise in the number of Covid infections due to new Omicron variants. For all the latest Newport news straight to your inbox, sign up for our NewportOnline newsletter here.
Read more: Wales sees sharp rise in Covid infection rate due to new Omicron variants
All hospitals in Wales are now insisting or strongly encouraging people to wear face masks due to rising Covid cases in the past few weeks. Hywel Dda and Cardiff & Vale university health boards announced increased measures in the past few days in a bid to curb rising infections, including mask-wearing and visiting restrictions. You can read more about that here. Several weeks ago Aneurin Bevan University Health Board announced increased measures, saying: "On June 21, 2022 we made the decision to ask all hospital staff and visitors to wear masks in clinical areas until further notice, due to the increasing prevalence of Covid-19 in our communities and within our hospitals.
"We will be reviewing the situation over the coming weeks and, if necessary, will adjust our restrictions accordingly."
A statement from the health board this week regarding reduced services at the surgeries said: "Brynmawr Medical Centre and Bryngwyn Surgery in Newport are currently experiencing significant difficulties due to staff illnesses. As a result, these practices are temporarily limiting appointments to urgent and essential care – please be assured that people will be seen if they have an urgent need.
"Please contact Brynmawr Medical Centre and Bryngwyn Surgery by telephone before attending. The practices thank you for your patience at this time and please keep an eye on their social media feeds for updates."
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