PEOPLE are being asked to avoid attending very busy accident and emergency departments at the Royal Gwent and Nevill Hall Hospitals unless it is absolutely necessary.

A plan drawn up by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to manage winter pressures is "holding up well" at the moment - but hospitals have been extremely busy since Christmas, and the situation shows little sign of easing.

And with A&E staff prioritising the care of very sick patients, anyone who attends with a health problem that could be treated elsewhere, such as by a GP or a pharmacist, faces a long wait.

The trials and tribulations of the NHS across Wales during last winter were reviewed to learn lessons, and Gwent's health board began to plan for the current winter's challenges back in the heat of last July.

Winter planning for the NHS and partners such as councils has been backed with £20 million of Welsh Government funding, of which Gwent's health board received more than £3m.

A key part of the health board's winter plan involved trying to free up more than 200 hospital beds ahead of the busy festive season supported by measures such as increasing capacity in emergency departments, and supporting older patients to remain at home rather than go into hospital.

“Our winter plan is holding up well at the moment, although our hospitals have been very busy over the past couple of weeks, and remain under a great deal of pressure," said a health board spokesman.

“Our hospitals have seen a high intake of very poorly people with serious health conditions, particularly frail older people.

"We have also seen a number of people who have suffered from complications caused by influenza and other respiratory illnesses, although fortunately we have not seen any cases of norovirus, which has caused problems in other hospitals around the UK.

The Argus reported last week that ambulances were waiting for long periods to handover patients at the Royal Gwent, and that a welfare vehicle had been laid on for crews.

Regarding the issue of avoiding attendance at A&E if possible, the spokesman said "our advice remains the same".

"If you attend one of our emergency departments with an illness or injury which would be better treated elsewhere, you are likely to face longer waits because our staff need to prioritise the care of very sick patients.

“Instead, we would advise people to consider calling NHS Direct Wales - 0845 46 47 - for advice, or to visit their local pharmacist, who can offer medical advice over the counter.

"Keeping our A&E departments as free as possible allows our staff to care for our sickest patients.”

NHS staff are working flat out to cope with the increased demand, and the health board spokesman added: “We continue to be very proud of our staff, who often go the extra mile during the winter months to ensure our patients receive the highest standards of care, both in our hospitals and out in the communities we serve.”