The infections were linked 'mainly' to transmission within the hospital itself, according to the health board running the Llantrisant facility, Get the latest Welsh Covid-19 news sent straight to your inbox with the Coronavirus Briefing newsletter. Infection rates in the Vale of Glamorgan are increasing almost daily now and currently stand at 351.8 per 100,000 population. Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) is now one of six local authorities in south Wales to be placed under local restrictions. Thank you everyone who fought for this!! Reacting to the news, Plaid Cymru health spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said the rise in cases at the hospital was concerning. The outbreak has been linked mainly to transmission within the hospital, according to Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board. On Wednesday, 93 new cases were confirmed in the county by Public Health Wales - the highest number of any local authority area. But that wasn't straightforward, given a number of the hospital's usual wards were reporting staff shortages. They said: "Robust A&E provision at the Royal Glamorgan is a critical component of health service provision to people in Pontypridd and the wider valleys communities, and we are strongly opposed to any reconfiguration that results in a material dilution of A&E services at the Royal Glamorgan. A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: "As a result of the increasing Covid cases on our wards, just as we are seeing in our communities, we have had to temporarily close three wards at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital to visiting. It's just after lunch when I meet Maria Davies, who is in charge of three of the hospital's medical wards. "This will further worry people seeking medical treatment. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Tarek Allouni, the health board's acute services manager, explained the difficulty of forward planning. Campaigners and local politicians have welcomed the recommendation. During his stay, he witnessed staff working under intense pressure, and is full of praise for their efforts. Covid-19 in Wales: What do the stats tell us? Protesters have voiced strong opposition to plans to downgrade A&E at Royal Glamorgan, An ambulance waits outside the Royal Glamorgan hospital. Two wards at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital have been closed due to a coronavirus outbreak, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. The number of confirmed cases on the wards has risen in line with a surge of confirmed cases in the community, Get the latest Welsh Covid-19 news sent straight to your inbox with the Coronavirus Briefing newsletter. Something went wrong, please try again later. Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board says ambulances will be diverted to Bridgend, Merthyr, and Cardiff. Human error to blame for deadly train crash, says Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. That's the main reason this whole system works. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Local health bosses have recommended that a full-time A&E department should be kept at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, BBC Wales has been told. Most operations have been cancelled at the hospital and some wards where patients and staff had been infected were closed. ", Conservative MS for South Wales Central Andrew RT Davies said: "I'm pleased common sense has finally prevailed but we now need to see a strong long-term plan from health bosses to ensure residents and communities in the region are never put in this situation again with any further threats to A&E provision at Royal Glamorgan. pic.twitter.com/xt0Mvr7XcX. pic.twitter.com/YSldiWgqKy. Meanwhile, back in A&E, as the afternoon goes on, the strain is building again. Read about our approach to external linking. 2023 BBC. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. The health board says it is taking on a number of "urgent and significant" actions to try to contain the virus and ensure the safety of its staff and patients. ", Claire Walker, the team's principal social worker, said: "We're trusted assessors in this role, so we'll assess somebody straight away and within those few hours we can identify exactly what it is that they need and access that service that's needed to support that discharge home.". Dr Sharon Hopkins, interim CEO at Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB, said: "Staff across the health board have worked exceptionally hard to continue to deliver consultant-led 24 hour emergency services and inpatient paediatric services from the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, as well as the Princess of Wales and Prince Charles Hospitals. We've got patients waiting months just for a nursing home placement or a package of care to be put in place.". At one point, it was so full that six ambulances had to queue outside waiting to hand over their patients. Was the plan to downgrade A&E at the Royal Glamorgan new? Bigorre.org. We already know the last lockdown caused a delay in treatments that will have led to harm so urgent action needs to be taken to ensure our hospitals are safe and people can be confident in attending routine procedures.". Rhondda MS Leanne Wood said people would be "overjoyed and relieved" at the decision, adding: "It was clear that the campaign to retain 24 hour services had logic, reason and safety on its side. "We only have a finite number of hospital beds. cwmtaf .wales /visiting /royal-glamorgan-hospital /. Changes to children's hospital care have been repeatedly postponed. A separate study of 1,500 hospital cases in the UK in April found one in eight patients who had received coronavirus treatment had caught it while in hospital. "Its important that if you are displaying any Covid symptoms, or have tested positive, or are awaiting a test result, that you do not visit wards.". Tel: 01443 443443Tel: 01685 721721. "The problem is that there is no more staff. However, an independent panel set up by Health Minister Vaughan Gething to oversee improvements in maternity has found that encouraging signs of progress are now being made during their last review between October and December 2019. Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board said it was taking "robust action" after 34 positive cases at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Dr Kelechi Nnoaham, Director of Public Health, said: The health and wellbeing of our patients and staff is our number one priority and we take infection prevention and control measures extremely seriously. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. But Dr Biswas, a dad-of-one who lives in Cardiff, claimed that trying to staff the wards at the hospital remains an issue. Local health bosses have recommended that a full-time A&E department should be kept at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, BBC Wales has been told. The self-contained paediatric wards at Royal Glamorgan hospital will remain open. Measures put in place include the closure of the affected wards, increased testing of staff and patients and limits on "social visiting". Andrew RT Davies, the shadow health minister for the Welsh Conservatives, called on the Welsh government to explore using field hospitals and other health facilities to alleviate pressure on the Royal Glamorgan. Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has. Im hearing weve won the battle over the A and E at the Royal Glamorgan. Everyone is working flat out. Local health bosses have recommended that a full-time A&E department should be kept at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, BBC Wales has been told. Eight people have died at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital after 82 cases of coronavirus were identified there. Yes, you might not get it, but your elderly relative might get it and die.". Rhondda MS Leanne Wood said people would be "overjoyed and relieved" at the decision, adding: "It was clear that the campaign to retain 24 hour services had logic, reason and safety on its side. Wednesday 30 September 2020, 5:28pm. Read about our approach to external linking. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Cllr Andrew Morgan, leader of RCT Council said: "Health professionals, from nurses through to doctors, are now facing the reality of the significant increase in the number of cases over the last 14 days which led the Welsh Government to apply additional restrictions in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and which is now sadly resulting in a continued increase in Covid-19 positive hospital admissions. The accident and emergency department at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital could close as part of plans by the health board to reduce services. The Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant. But to then get so many cases so quickly is a definite matter of concern," said Dr Biswas, who contracted Covid-19 himself in May but has since recovered. 2023 BBC. Covid-19 in Wales: What do the stats tell us? Right across Wales, we know staff are deciding to leave the NHS because of the strain. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Meanwhile in west Wales Hywel Dda University Health Board has suspended some services and restricted access to some wards due to "widespread system pressures" on its hospitals. "I would like to reassure the public that immediate action has been taken to address this outbreak, and although it is too early to confirm the end of the outbreak, early evidence suggests that this has resulted in the number of infections transmitted within the hospital being contained. "Any proposal must also have patient safety as its fundamental principle. "Yeah, I think people would leave," she added. We cannot stop the infection rate from going down. ", Conservative MS for South Wales Central Andrew RT Davies said: "I'm pleased common sense has finally prevailed but we now need to see a strong long-term plan from health bosses to ensure residents and communities in the region are never put in this situation again with any further threats to A&E provision at Royal Glamorgan. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Read about our approach to external linking. But I feel it makes sense.". After speaking to Maria I meet Mark Walsh, who spent his 61st birthday at the Royal Glamorgan, waiting for a heart procedure. We do try and keep everyone's spirits up - we all work as a team.". The Royal Glamorgan Hospital has closed three of its wards to visitors as Covid cases surge. The all-Wales infection rate is 411.4 per 100,000. RCT Council leader Andrew Morgan, Vikki Howells AM and Beth Winter MP also expressed concerns at the current lack of available consultants at the hospital. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is looking at four different proposals, Keep up to date with the latest stories with our WalesOnline newsletter. A review by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives unearthed catastrophic problems in the care offered to mother and babies, some of whom died. A Welsh health board has closed a number of hospital wards to visitors due to a surge of coronavirus cases in the area. Please help us fight infection by not visiting our hospitals if you have had D&V symptoms in the last 48 hours. Two wards have been closed at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant after an outbreak of coronavirus. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. "We are working with the local health authority's senior management team and Public Health Wales to understand and, crucially, address the issues that have arisen at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital to bring that outbreak under control and learn the lessons of that so they can be applied in other healthcare settings. Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said rising numbers of Covid. It meant ambulances had to be re-directed to the Prince Charles Hospital In Merthyr Tydfil or the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. "It must be made clear that this is not a funding issue, but that there is simply a lack of consultants - not just in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board area or even across Wales, but across the UK as a whole. Dr Raja Biswas, a consultant physician at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, The Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. Mum who spent 45 days on ventilator urges people to protect against virus: When the first wave came, Dr Biswas said the health board had to act as if it was an "emergency situation". They have been worried about poor transport links between some valleys communities, and that other hospitals had been prioritised for investment instead of the Royal Glamorgan. Campaigners and local politicians have welcomed the recommendation. Mto aro Royal Glamorgan Hospital. pic.twitter.com/HHfoBbu2NA. Two wards at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital have been closed due to a coronavirus outbreak Two wards of a hospital have been closed after an outbreak of coronavirus cases, a health board. Not all problems are resolved so it makes sense for the campaigners to keep in touch. However, he said he did understand the frustrations of the public due to the mixed messages being given to them by government. "Our argument to retain and boost staffing levels with a clear and energetic recruitment drive was strong enough but when the coronavirus pandemic occurred, the importance of hospital capacity and local services was reinforced significantly. A specialist team has put in place a number of other measures, including increasing targeted testing of healthcare staff, testing of all emergency and elective hospital admissions, and limiting social visiting. They were angered when the health board's medical director told a Senedd committee it "may well be true" that no "substantive effort" was made to recruit A&E consultants at the hospital for five years. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Even under the most intense pressure, staff will always try to prioritise the sickest patients. Two wards have been closed at Royal Glamorgan Hospital after 34 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed there. Paul Mears, CEO of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, said: We recognise the concern that these temporary changes will cause and would like to assure ourpatients and communities that managing this outbreak is our key priority. I've been invited along. Two wards of a hospital have been closed after an outbreak of coronavirus cases, a health board has announced. The full health board will discuss a paper outlining the plan next Monday. Six patients are in intensive care at the Royal Glamorgan hospital in Llantrisant, north-west of Cardiff. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Measures put in place include the closure of the affected wards, increased testing of staff and patients and limits on "social visiting". Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board announced on Wednesday, September 23, that it was now taking "robust action" following the identification of 34 cases of Covid-19 at the hospital. After a public consultation, health boards and community health councils finally agreed on a series of recommendations. "They have to be in a hospital until at least they are negative which puts increased pressure on the hospital," he said. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. ", Ms Davies-Jones added: "This is the result that everyone wanted to see and have worked so hard for. Phone First for Minor Injury Units in Powys: 01639 844777 1 The . In July, PHW revealed hundreds of patients had caught coronavirus while in hospital. Protesters have voiced strong opposition to plans to downgrade A&E at Royal Glamorgan, An ambulance waits outside the Royal Glamorgan hospital. We are almost at the point we were at in around April time. What's he waiting for? During . Despite the pressures facing the hospital, the experienced medic said he was confident the Welsh NHS would not be overwhelmed. Dr Raja Biswas, a consultant physician, said he was concerned by the volumes of unwell patients with the virus now coming through the doors. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. Two wards of a hospital have been closed after an outbreak of coronavirus cases, a health board has announced. We will provide further advice and guidance within the next 24 hours and will continue to communicate widely with our communities, patients, stakeholders and colleagues to ensure everyone is aware of the temporary changes and what this means for accessing services at Royal Glamorgan Hospital. Maria Davies says some patients are 'waiting months' for the community care package they need, Gemma Pearson says patient turnaround has to happen as quickly as possible, Senior staff at Royal Glamorgan hospital hold a logistical morning meeting, Mark Walsh spent his 61st birthday waiting for a heart procedure at the Royal Glamorgan, Nurse Chezelle White admits that it is only community spirit that is stopping some staff from quitting, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. NEWYDDION DA / GOOD NEWS Well done to everyone who campaigned against the Labour Welsh government & their health boards plans to remove our A&E at the Royal Glamorgan. Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has confirmed it is looking at four possible scenarios for the future of the Llantrisant-based hospital. She told the Welsh Government Covid-19 press briefing: "We understand that this is a serious situation and how upsetting it is for all those involved. "How will people at the northernmost tops of our communities reach hospitals in good time during serious emergencies, especially with our low car ownership numbers?". The wolf is at the door of the NHS, say doctors, NHS remains under 'intense pressure', report warns, Patient spent four nights in A&E waiting for a bed, Human error to blame for deadly train crash, says Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Most operations have been cancelled at the hospital and some wards where patients and staff had been infected were closed. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Why Covid lab-leak theory is now being taken seriously, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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