One ambulance was forced to wait an astonishing 28 hours outside a hospital in Wales today.
The crisis, which struck “multiple sites” across Wales, prompted an “extraordinary incident” to be declared on Sunday.
Queues to get patients into hospitals were particularly long in the Swansea Bay University Health Board area.
The disturbing delays saw sixteen ambulances waiting outside the A&E department at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, at one time.
Judith Bryce, assistant director of operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service, blamed the issues on “patient handover delays outside of emergency departments”.
The ambulance service urged people to only call 999 if their emergency was “life or limb-threatening”.
Ms Bryce said: “This is taking its toll on our ability to respond within the community.
“Today, approaching our declaration of an extraordinary incident, we have experienced multiple episodes of prolonged patient handover at multiple sites across Wales.
“Regrettably, this means that some patients may be asked to make alternative hospital travel arrangements if an ambulance is not available.
“We apologise for the consequence of this action and ask the public to please use services wisely.”
Extra managerial and clinical support had been drafted in to help support the staff at Morriston.
Back in July, Morriston Hospital, one of the largest in Wales, struggled with another NHS crisis – bed shortages.
They opened up a discharge lounge in a desperate bid to free up beds for new patients.
