'Sharp demand peak' blamed for 11 ambulances queue at Morriston Hospital

A queue of 11 ambulances at Swansea's Morriston Hospital was due to a "sharp, temporary peak in demand," say managers.

Two ambulances had been waiting outside on Tuesday morning but nine more arrived within an hour, said Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.

By the afternoon there were three ambulances outside with no patients waiting inside them.

Patients were reminded that A&E was for serious cases only.

"There can sometimes be sudden peaks in demand for services, and staff do their best to deal with patients as quickly as possible, according to their clinical need," said a health board spokeswoman.

"Morriston A&E is a busy department generally and we would remind people to only use it if they have a serious illness or injury and to consider other options for care, including their GPs and the minor injury units for less serious complaints."