A Welsh health board has declared a "critical incident" due to unprecedented demand on NHS services. Gill Harris, interim chief executive. of Betsi Cadwaladr UHB, said the health board is "struggling to cope with the prolonged, significant demand on the health system in north Wales".
As a result, she confirmed that all but the most urgent procedures have been cancelled in hospitals across the region. She apologised to all patients who were due to receive planned care over the next few days.
Ms Harris said the critical incident had been put in place due to a combination of winter viruses, parents seeking help due to concerns about strep A and injuries associated with the cold weather.
Read more: Nurses strike in Wales for the first time in history
"This has meant extremely long waits for patients to be seen - particularly at our hospital emergency departments. The Royal College of Nursing industrial action that is due to take place again tomorrow and the Wales Ambulance Service action on Wednesday will limit our ability to respond even further," she explained in a statement on Monday.
"A lack of available beds in our hospitals is currently leading to unprecedented ambulance delays across the health board and we are working closely with local authority colleagues to support medically fit patients to be discharged from hospital. Similar pressures are being experienced in other health boards and English trusts.
"This morning we have declared an internal critical incident, which means we are struggling to cope with the prolonged, significant demand on the health system in north Wales. As a result, we have postponed all but the most urgent procedures in our hospitals. We regret that this will impact on a number of patients who were due to receive planned care over the next few days and sincerely apologise to all those affected, who will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
"This is an exceptionally challenging time for colleagues across our health services and we are hugely grateful for the continued efforts being made in such difficult circumstances."
Members of the Royal College of Nursing are set to walk out for the second time this month on Tuesday, December 20, while the Welsh Ambulance Service will strike the following on December 21. The Royal College of Midwives has also voted in favour of some form of industrial action.
On Tuesday last week Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB said it own emergency departments were under extreme pressure and urged people to seek medical help elsewhere where possible.
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