A TRIAGE and treatment system will operate at Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan, Ebbw Vale, on Boxing Day (6pm-2am) and on New Year’s Eve/Day (10pm-4am) to help ease pressures on emergency department staff.

A joint approach among Aneurin Bevan Health Board, the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, Gwent Police and St John Cymru, the aim is to run a triage and treatment service, staffed by ambulance service staff and St John Cymru.

A paramedic with a rapid response vehicle will assess casualties on scene and decide if they can be treated and discharged there, or need to be taken to the advanced paramedic practitioner at the hospital by St John Cymru ambulance.