Hospital waiting lists for medical treatment remain at a record high. On Monday evening, the Welsh Ambulance Service declared a “critical incident” with over 340 calls across the 999 service waiting to be answered.

The Welsh Ambulance Service has stood down the critical incident it declared on Monday night (30th December 2024), following two days of extreme strain on the 999 system caused by rising seasonal illnesses and hospital handover delays.

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed this morning [Wednesday, January 1] that the critical incident has now been stood down. They said: "The trust took a number of additional measures to mitigate the pressures as part of well-rehearsed plans and in order to continue to deliver a safe service.

The Welsh Ambulance Service declared a critical incident on Monday evening.

The service says more than 340 calls were waiting to be answered at the time the critical incident was declared. | ITV News Wales

The Welsh Ambulance Service has declared a critical incident because of increased demand across the 999 service and extensive hospital handover delays. It said more than 340 calls were waiting to be answered across Wales at the time the critical incident was declared on Monday evening.

An under-pressure ambulance service has urged revellers to drink in moderation to help reduce demand on New Year’s Eve.

The Welsh Ambulance Service has declared a critical incident after an unprecedented surge in demand with over 340 calls waiting to be answered on Monday evening.

The Welsh Ambulance Service has apologised to patients after increased demand and handover delays saw some people waiting many hours for care. The service declared a critical incident on Monday evening,

The chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service has said New Year’s Eve revellers in Wales can help the service tonight by drinking in 'moderation' after they declared a critical incident on December 30.