CTM – Media update – Thursday 15th October

Royal Glamorgan Hospital service changes

Temporary service changes are still in place including:

·       Temporary suspension of elective surgery (with the exception of a very small number of urgent cancer cases which have been clinically prioritised);

·       Diversion of Welsh Ambulance Service (999) patients to other hospitals (with exception of children)

·       There is no change to the self-contained paediatric wards at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, they remain open

·       Mental health services at the hospital remain open

From this week, any patient requiring an emergency admission following assessment at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital or any patient referred for admittance by a GP, are now being admitted to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital (rather than be taken to another hospital).

Royal Glamorgan Hospital outbreak

Cases of COVID-19 linked to the outbreak – 155

Deaths linked to the COVID-19 outbreak – 38

*numbers correct as of 14/10/2020

Additional updates

Prince Charles Hospital outbreak

Cases of COVID-19 linked to the outbreak – 22

Deaths linked to the COVID-19 outbreak – 5

*numbers correct as of 14/10/2020

Princess of Wales Hospital outbreak

Cases of COVID-19 linked to the outbreak – 28

Deaths linked to the COVID-19 outbreak – 4

*numbers correct as of 14/10/2020

In conjunction with Public Health Wales, we are monitoring closely a number of cases at Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda (20 cases, as of 14/10/20) and Maesteg Hospital. Immediate measures to contain the spread of the virus have been taken.

Ysbyty’r Seren

Our teams have been working extremely hard to ensure all operational and infection control measures are fully in place for our field hospital and from today (Thursday October 15^th) Ysbyty’r Seren will start to admit its first patients. The hospital will be taking patients from our three district general hospitals, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital and Princess of Wales Hospital, to create capacity in our acute settings for our patients needing more specialist care. Patients at Ysbyty’r Seren will be cared for and supported with their ongoing recovery from COVID-19 by our multidisciplinary team.

Helpline

A helpline has been set up for anyone who has concerns relating to the COVID outbreaks in CTM UHB.

Members of the public can call 01685 726464 between 9am and 4.30pm (Mon – Fri) where a team will be ready to help. 

Emergency departments

We are appealing to everyone in our communities to help us manage the pressures that we are experiencing across our hospital sites. You can help by really considering whether accessing our Emergency Departments is the appropriate line of action for your health care needs. The Emergency Department is for emergency cases ONLY. We encourage everyone at this time to consider where alternative services can provide the care suitable for their needs, such as the NHS 111 Wales website, minor injury units, pharmacies and GP services. Details can be found on our website.

CTM UHB statement

Medical Director for CTM UHB Dr Nick Lyons said “Today, Ysbyty’r Seren will welcome its first patients. This facility will allow for our patients who are well on the road to recovery from COVID to be cared for in a rehabilitative environment away from our acute sites. The facility will provide a breadth of care for these patients, which will include support with their emotional and physical wellbeing as they recover from the virus.

“The safety of our patients and staff remains our first priority and we now seeing the very beginnings of the positive impact of the mitigating actions we are taking across our sites to contain the spread of the virus.

“We apologise for the concern that these outbreaks have caused for families and our communities, and we continue to operate our helpline on 01685 726464 between 9am and 4.30pm (Mon – Fri).

“As infection rates continue to rise in our communities, we are appealing to all members of the public to take seriously their responsibilities by ensuring their behaviour does not contribute to the further spread of COVID-19.  We remain grateful to all members of our community who are continuing to adhere to the guidance in order to help control this virus.”