Red Cross staff and volunteers to offer ‘winter pressure’ support at Wrexham Maelor Emergeny Department until next month

Emergency Department staff at Wrexham Maelor Hospital will continue to receive extra support from the British Red Cross until March.

Red Cross staff and volunteers have helped more than 5,400 patients at the Wrexham Maelor and Glan Clwyd Hospital hospital sites this winter by providing non-medical assistance and helping to organise transport for patients back home.

The charity is helping patients to collect their medication, equipment and test results, as well as accompanying patients to other hospital departments such as X-ray and offering emotional support.

Since mid-December, the charity has been operating emergency department support services at seven hospitals – Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Glangwili General Hospital in Carmarthen, Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest, University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan.

It comes as part of the Welsh Government’s £20m integrated winter delivery plan, with the Red Cross services running until the end of March.

Irene Woodward who was admitted to the Emergency Department following a fall has praised the efforts of the Red Cross during her stay at hospital.

She said: “I have received an excellent service from the staff at the hospital and also the Red Cross since I was admitted following my fall.

“The Red Cross team are very kind bringing me drinks and taking the time to have a chat with me to make sure I’m ok, I cannot praise them enough.”

Jackie Williams, Matron of Glan Clwyd Hospital’s Emergency Department, said the support from the Red Cross over the winter had been amazing.

“We have received fantastic feedback from the patients here at the Emergency Department who have praised the staff and volunteers for their kindness and support,” continued Jackie.

“They really are part of the team here at Glan Clwyd and we’d like to thank them for their continued support during the winter period.”

Cathrin Manning, who is part of the Red Cross team supporting Ysbyty Glan Clwyd’s Emergency Department, said she was pleased they are able to offer support to ease pressures on the health service this winter.

She added: “The staff at both Glan Clwyd and Wrexham Maelor Hospitals have been very welcoming since we arrived in December.

“We have seen first-hand how busy the departments can be and we are pleased to have been able to provide extra support for patients and the staff.”