I want to thank staff across NHS Wales and the social care sector who are working hard to provide care to the people of Wales. There is currently pressure across the health and social care system, particularly for frontline ambulance, GP and A & E Departments service staff.
We are working with all health boards and social care services to ensure they deliver the best possible outcome for patients in the here and now, and to support the further practical work needed to reform our health and social care services.
I want to reassure people that while some operations are being postponed and not cancelled, a significant number of people continue to access the elective care they need. We invested an additional £30m in September to support NHS Wales and Local Authorities with their winter planning, and much of this funding has been used to help increase available hospital beds, community capacity and social care capacity starting this week.
We recognise that demand remains high across NHS Wales reflecting the situation across the UK. I would ask people to reduce the risk of spread of infection and to Choose Well and use other support, such as NHS Direct Wales online, calling 111, or visiting a minor injury unit where appropriate.