This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51877667

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Coronavirus: Planned surgery cancelled in Wales Coronavirus: Planned surgery cancelled in Wales
(32 minutes later)
Planned surgery is to be cancelled in Wales as the NHS gears up to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.Planned surgery is to be cancelled in Wales as the NHS gears up to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
Cutting back on so-called "elective" operations - those waiting for non-urgent treatment - had been put forward as one of the likely options as the pandemic escalates and more patients with the virus need treating.Cutting back on so-called "elective" operations - those waiting for non-urgent treatment - had been put forward as one of the likely options as the pandemic escalates and more patients with the virus need treating.
Non-urgent outpatient appointments will also be put on hold.Non-urgent outpatient appointments will also be put on hold.
Waiting time targets and monitoring arrangements are also being relaxed.Waiting time targets and monitoring arrangements are also being relaxed.
Meanwhile, Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies has defended the decision to postpone Wales' Six Nations game with Scotland, just 24 hours before kick-off.Meanwhile, Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies has defended the decision to postpone Wales' Six Nations game with Scotland, just 24 hours before kick-off.
Also, Cardiff City have confirmed a player and member of staff are self-isolating as a precaution, while a Wrexham FC player has been told to self-isolate after seeking medical advice, with the team's weekend game against Barrow postponed.Also, Cardiff City have confirmed a player and member of staff are self-isolating as a precaution, while a Wrexham FC player has been told to self-isolate after seeking medical advice, with the team's weekend game against Barrow postponed.
Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: "I am choosing to act now before we see a significant surge in demand so that our services can be ready to act. A larger number of people requiring high levels of care is highly likely over the coming weeks."Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: "I am choosing to act now before we see a significant surge in demand so that our services can be ready to act. A larger number of people requiring high levels of care is highly likely over the coming weeks."
He stressed that access to cancer and other essential treatments such as kidney dialysis would continue.He stressed that access to cancer and other essential treatments such as kidney dialysis would continue.
The minister said the priority was to save as many lives as possible, with 25,000 deaths in Wales possible in a worst case scenario.The minister said the priority was to save as many lives as possible, with 25,000 deaths in Wales possible in a worst case scenario.
Meanwhile, PHW reported 13 new cases, taking the total to 38, including first cases in Anglesey and Flintshire.
Where are the latest cases?
A total of 945 people have now been tested.
What actions have been outlined?What actions have been outlined?
EASY STEPS: How to keep safeEASY STEPS: How to keep safe
With the peak believed to be 10 to 14 weeks away, First Minister Mark Drakeford said it was about making the "right decisions at the right time".With the peak believed to be 10 to 14 weeks away, First Minister Mark Drakeford said it was about making the "right decisions at the right time".
Earlier on Friday, the Welsh Government hinted at the move, saying it would need to consider reducing planned activity.Earlier on Friday, the Welsh Government hinted at the move, saying it would need to consider reducing planned activity.
There are currently about 390,000 referrals waiting for hospital treatment in Wales - including some patients on multiple waiting lists. These include 47,000 orthopaedic referrals.There are currently about 390,000 referrals waiting for hospital treatment in Wales - including some patients on multiple waiting lists. These include 47,000 orthopaedic referrals.
There were also 3 million outpatient appointments in the past year.There were also 3 million outpatient appointments in the past year.
This could mean some quite big operations, including heart surgery, will be postponed for people - particularly if patients require intensive care afterwards.This could mean some quite big operations, including heart surgery, will be postponed for people - particularly if patients require intensive care afterwards.
But clinical decisions will have to be made if the conditions of patients deteriorate as they wait and they become emergencies.But clinical decisions will have to be made if the conditions of patients deteriorate as they wait and they become emergencies.
We are used to seeing the temporary cancellation of planned surgery used as a pressure valve in the NHS by individual health boards, to relieve demand during winter pressures.We are used to seeing the temporary cancellation of planned surgery used as a pressure valve in the NHS by individual health boards, to relieve demand during winter pressures.
But in the wake of this crisis and the anticipated demand, to see this directed centrally by NHS Wales, is unprecedented.But in the wake of this crisis and the anticipated demand, to see this directed centrally by NHS Wales, is unprecedented.
Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said: "We would ask members of the public to help by being patient and understanding staff are working tirelessly.Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said: "We would ask members of the public to help by being patient and understanding staff are working tirelessly.
"It is important to remember that we all have a responsibility to take precautions to minimise the chances of catching or spreading Covid-19"."It is important to remember that we all have a responsibility to take precautions to minimise the chances of catching or spreading Covid-19".
On Wednesday, a senior intensive care consultant warned about the supply of beds and staffing, because critical care units normally work at more than 90% capacity.On Wednesday, a senior intensive care consultant warned about the supply of beds and staffing, because critical care units normally work at more than 90% capacity.
Dr Jack Parry-Jones, Welsh board member for the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, said Wales was "uniquely at risk" if there was a surge of very sick people.Dr Jack Parry-Jones, Welsh board member for the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, said Wales was "uniquely at risk" if there was a surge of very sick people.
He said options included cutting back on routine surgery and turning operating theatres into extra intensive care facilities.He said options included cutting back on routine surgery and turning operating theatres into extra intensive care facilities.