July 01, 2026 - 212 views
Health services across North Wales are being told to begin preparing now for the pressures of winter after the Welsh Government unveiled a new plan aimed at improving patient care and easing pressure on hospitals and ambulance services.
Health boards, including Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, have been asked to adopt a year-round approach to planning, with work starting months earlier than usual to help ensure patients receive the right care at the right time during the busy winter period.
The move follows a challenging winter for the NHS across Wales, when hospitals experienced sustained demand and many patients faced long waits for treatment and difficulties being discharged once they were medically fit to leave hospital.
The Welsh Government has identified five priorities for the months ahead, including increasing vaccination rates, supporting vulnerable people to stay well at home, reducing hospital-acquired infections, speeding up safe hospital discharges and ensuring hospital and community services remain resilient during periods of high demand.
One of the key changes will see the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme expanded from September to include people aged over 65 who are considered to be at clinical risk.
The plans are also intended to reduce pressure on emergency departments and ambulance crews by improving public awareness of the most appropriate NHS services to use, while strengthening support in the community to help people recover safely at home rather than remaining in hospital unnecessarily.
For North Wales, where hospitals regularly experience increased demand during the winter months, particularly from an ageing population and seasonal illnesses, earlier planning is expected to help improve patient flow and free up beds for those who need them most.
Health and Care Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “Our fantastic NHS and social care staff worked incredibly hard last winter, and we are being clear with health boards and partners more needs to be done.
“Last winter was tough – too many people waited too long for the care they needed, and that’s not good enough. Early planning and action are key, and I’ve also asked officials to begin planning now so we’re better prepared for the winters ahead.
“I am also clear that this is not just a winter challenge. The recent period of extreme heat is a clear reminder that pressures and risk can arise at any time of year. Our ambition is simple – safe services all year round that protect ambulance and hospital capacity for those who really need them, ensuring people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”
The Welsh Government says the earlier planning should help NHS organisations and local authority social care teams work more closely together, ensuring people across North Wales can access timely care while reducing unnecessary pressure on hospitals during the busiest months of the year.
