Lack of hospital beds makes Covid spread 'inevitable'

A lack of beds in Welsh hospitals meant it was "inevitable" Covid patients would come into contact with others, a doctor has said.

"Seeing patients in bed at the time of admission is becoming a rarity," Dr Nicky Leopold said.

Some patients, including those with Covid, have had to spend nights on chairs in A&E due to a lack of beds.

The Welsh government said it aimed to deliver 12,000 more staff by 2024-25.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan and the chief executive of the Welsh NHS are due to give evidence to the Senedd's health committee on winter pressures..

Dr Leopold, a consultant geriatrician, who is a member of the BMA union in Wales, said there had been recent improvements since the number of NHS staff testing positive for Covid fell, but the flow of patients through hospital was still a problem.

She said: "So many patients are stranded in hospital and that's very difficult and frustrating. There just aren't the staff in the community to support the increased level of need."

Outpatient appointments had also been affected by shortages, she added. A lot of patients were in "dire need" and staff were "desperately" trying to keep clinics running.

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Source: BBC News, 10 February 2022