The Welsh Government has announced plans to provide £2 million in funding to upgrade emergency department waiting areas.
The funding aims to support hospital emergency departments, in areas such as to improve seating, information screens, improving access to water or food stations and improvements to Wi-Fi and electrical charging points.
Health and Social Services Minister Eluned Morgan said: “None of us want to go to hospital, but if we need to this extra investment to improve emergency department waiting rooms should make the experience a little easier.”
The announcement comes as the Welsh Government publishes its plan for seasonal respiratory viruses, including coronavirus, this autumn and winter. Our Public Health Approach to Respiratory Viruses outlines how the NHS and care services are preparing ahead of an anticipated seasonal peak in demand.
The objectives in the plan include: Protecting the most vulnerable from serious disease; Protecting the most vulnerable from serious disease; Acting quickly to respond to changing circumstances, including re-introducing stronger advice, such as wearing face coverings and additional Covid testing, if cases rise sharply; Partnering with Public Health Wales to ensure surveillance of infectious viruses; and Protecting people who are at greatest risk by offering free flu and Covid-19 vaccines.
The Minister added: “Unfortunately, the pandemic hasn’t gone away and over the last fortnight there’s been a rise in infections in the community and in hospital admissions. Vaccination remains our best defence against both coronavirus and flu. Tens of thousands of people are being vaccinated every week and it’s never too late to be vaccinated.“
