CONCERNS have been raised that the NHS will 'break completely' as immense pressures continue.

It is no secret that demand on NHS services in Wales is significantly increasing which is leaving much worry for the winter months.

There have been ongoing reports of patients waiting for hours in ambulances outside of hospitals, 'atrocious' waiting times in A&E departments and a 'significant' number of 999 calls made.

It has also been highlighted more needs to be done with primary care services in a bid to stop the 'roundabout of hell'.

In a special report published by the Leader, Senior Paramedic Sally Bottomley said she she is seeing unprecedented demand and fears for the public and the future as she pleads with people to play their part.

She said it is soul destroying turning up late to patients in need and staff are 'deflated and exhausted', but yet demand still rises.

Families are even moving to a different county because the NHS services in Wrexham are 'not fit for purpose'.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, used to work at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and now brands it as 'dangerous'.

She added that staff 'get the blame' but more needs to be done by management to manage the 'dire situation'.

Earlier this week, the Leader reported that a 21-year-old, from Alltami, was taken to the Maelor at 10.30pm on Saturday after suffering pain in the right side of his abdomen - a symptom of appendicitis.

Due to Covid restrictions, his mother said he endured a ten hour wait to be seen without pain killers or a bed to lie down on.

After speaking to her son by phone, she compared his experience in the waiting room to being in a torture chamber.

Leader readers were quick to share their thoughts on the matter.

Rebecca Pinkerton said: "The problem lies with the GPs as there’s no appointments, so people are using A&E like a GP surgery and that’s not what it’s for. It’s for emergencies only."

Charlene Fowles said: "Unfortunately, this isn't a new thing that Covid can be blamed for. I had a similar experience six years ago with a broken arm. A 10 hour wait in agony in the waiting room. Staff are doing all they can but there just isn't enough resource. It really needs to be looked at before the NHS breaks completely."

Johnny Diamond went on to say that the NHS has 'not been fit for purpose' and is 'beyond help'.

Natalie Bunn added: "I waited 15 hours on Monday night with a possible broken ankle, there were parents with kids having infections that could be easily sorted at the doctors. 12 ambulances outside. A&E was busy, it's not Covid related the NHS just can't cope."

Paula Williams said: "It's not the staff at A&E fault. They are working so hard with what little they have. You are right people going to A&E with a cold just when it comes to children they need to been seen and the new 111 service is not working, as twice I've been put over to Liverpool then to be told the baby can't be seen as we are North Wales. GPs are struggling. The government need to dig deeper and employ more beds more staff and more doctors."

Dan James said: "7hrs wait yesterday and told I was lucky because the day before it was 16hrs. And some other poor chap was waiting for a bed since the day before."

Last month, we spent the day with a senior paramedic and saw for ourselves the intense pressures staff and patients are facing.

Things happened so quickly that paramedics didn't even get time for breakfast, going from call to call, over 100 people at A&E and a dozen ambulances waiting outside for several hours.

Emergency services have been stretched during the pandemic, with demand exceptionally high recently, and Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board encourages patients who have experienced issues to contact them so services can be improved.

Dr Steve Stanaway, Medical Director at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, previously said: “The last few months have been exceptionally busy for our Emergency Department, resulting in longer waiting times than usual, despite the best efforts of our nursing and medical staff.

“Patients are always prioritised according to their clinical need and monitored throughout their time in our Emergency Department, which is still operating under reduced capacity given the changes we have had to make as a result of COVID-19.

“The safety of our patients and staff is our highest priority. To help protect often vulnerable people in the current environment patients attending our Emergency Department should visit alone unless they need a carer, for example with visual, hearing or mobility impairment, dementia or other carer needs. This is to ensure we are able to comply with social distancing in our waiting room.

“We would also ask the public to help us; patients who do not need full emergency hospital treatment may find that they can get appropriate advice and care from other NHS services, including our minor injuries units and local pharmacies. Please visit the BCUHB website or contact NHS 111 for advice if you are unsure where to go.”