EditorHealth board issues open letter as norovirus forces ward closures at Morriston Hospital
The update comes just 24 hours after Swansea Bay News reported that hospitals across the region were full, with families urged to collect medically fit relatives to help free up beds.
‘Very high demand’ and two emergency incidents
In the open letter, published on Monday, the health board said Morriston Hospital’s Emergency Department and other “front door” services had faced “very high demand” over the past week, prompting two business continuity incidents — the first since March last year.
The board said it had made “real improvements” in urgent and emergency care over the last six months, including faster ambulance handovers, fewer queues outside the department and shorter waiting times inside the ED. But a sharp rise in ambulance arrivals, more walk‑ins and fewer discharges had pushed the system back into crisis.
Swansea Bay University Health Board said:
“This has caused overcrowding and long waits, affecting patients and their families, and for that we are truly sorry.”
The board said the flow of patients through Morriston, Neath Port Talbot and Singleton hospitals had been disrupted by high demand, infection‑related ward closures and difficulties discharging medically fit patients.
Morriston Hospital’s Emergency Department, which has faced very high demand and two business continuity incidents in the past week. (Image: Swansea Bay University Health Board)Infection‑related ward closures and visiting restrictions
Alongside the open letter, the health board issued a separate warning about norovirus, confirming that several wards at Morriston Hospital have been temporarily closed to visitors due to high numbers of patients with the infection.
People planning to visit are being urged to telephone the ward before travelling. Visits to affected wards will only be allowed with the approval of the ward leader.
The board said laundry and essential items for patients can still be dropped off following a discussion with the nurse in charge.
What the health board says about norovirus
Norovirus — often called the “winter vomiting bug” — is circulating widely in the community and is now affecting multiple hospital wards.
Symptoms include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and body aches. Most people recover at home within a few days but remain contagious for up to 72 hours after symptoms stop.
Joanne Walters, Deputy Head of Nursing for Infection Prevention and Control, said the public can play a key role in slowing the spread.
“The best way to protect yourself and your family is by washing your hands regularly with soap and water.”
The board is asking anyone with symptoms of norovirus, or similar stomach bugs, not to visit loved ones in hospital to avoid further ward closures.
Norovirus: what you need to know
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly infectious stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It spreads easily in the community and in hospitals, especially during winter.
Common symptoms
Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, headache and aching limbs. Symptoms usually begin within one to two days of infection and last a few days.
How long does it last?
Most people recover at home within a few days, but remain contagious for up to 72 hours after symptoms stop. Staying hydrated is essential.
How it spreads
Through close contact with someone who has the virus, contaminated surfaces, and food such as shellfish. Virus particles can settle on nearby surfaces during vomiting or diarrhoea.
Protecting yourself and others
Swansea Bay University Health Board says the best defence is regular handwashing with soap and water. Alcohol gels are less effective against norovirus.
When to wash your hands
Before preparing food or drinks, before eating, after using the toilet, after touching items used by someone unwell, after using shopping trolleys, and whenever hands are visibly dirty.
Discharge delays adding to pressure
The health board said its ability to manage demand relies on keeping patients moving through the system and safely discharged into the community. But recent delays — often linked to care packages or practical arrangements at home — have contributed to overcrowding.
Families are being asked to help by ensuring essentials such as keys, heating and basic food supplies are ready when relatives are discharged.
Swansea Bay University Health Board said:
“Medically fit patients who stay in hospital unnecessarily can quickly lose independence.”
‘Pressures will rise again’
With flu circulating and winter weather setting in, the board warned that pressures are likely to increase again in the coming weeks, even as efforts continue to recover capacity.
The letter ends by thanking staff, partners and families for their support and patience, and pledging to be open about the challenges ahead.
Open letter from Swansea Bay University Health Board
Monday 12th January 2026 Dear all, Over the past week, Morriston Hospital’s Emergency Department and other front door services have faced very high demand, leading us to declare two business continuity incidents. We want to update you on the situation and thank everyone who has used our services for their patience. Over the last six months, we have made real improvements in urgent and emergency care: • Faster ambulance handovers and fewer delays outside the department • More patients discharged home or to community care, creating space inside the ED • Reduced ambulance queues and faster response times in the community • Shorter waiting times inside the department • Less overcrowding, improving patient dignity and staff working conditions These improvements have only been possible thanks to our staff, local authority partners, the third sector, and the understanding of our patients and families. While some individuals have still waited too long at times—and we apologise for this—the overall trend has been positive. However, in the last week we have seen a sharp rise in ambulance arrivals and walk-ins, combined with fewer patients being discharged despite being medically fit. This has caused overcrowding and long waits, affecting patients and their families, and for that we are truly sorry. Our system relies on keeping patients moving through hospital and into the community. Recently that “flow” has been disrupted by high demand, infection-related ward closures, and difficulties discharging patients from Morriston, Neath Port Talbot and Singleton. This is why we declared business continuity incidents over the last seven days – the first since March last year. Doing so allows us to take exceptional steps, such as calling in staff on their days off. In light of the infection-related ward closures we are also reviewing visiting on a ward by ward basis in Morriston. In the meantime, we ask that anybody with any symptoms of Norovirus or similar refrain from visiting their loved ones to avoid further spread and bed closures which impact our ability to keep patients safe. Given the time of year, flu levels and winter weather, we expect pressures to rise again, even though we aim to recover quickly. Our focus is on safely increasing and speeding up discharges, because medically fit patients who stay in hospital unnecessarily can quickly lose independence. We are working closely with local authorities, who provide the care packages patients often need before they can go home. Families and friends can also help by making sure practical arrangements—such as keys or basic food supplies—are ready for discharge. We are proud of the progress made over recent months, but it is important to be open when pressures are high. We hope this letter explains our current position and reassures you that our long-term direction of travel remains positive. Thank you. Swansea Bay University Health Board
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