'Avoid A&E' after Royal Gwent Hospital IT glitch

Patients have been urged to re-think visiting A&E at two south Wales hospitals following a computer glitch.

Computers are down at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, so many attended accident and emergency at Nevill Hall, Abergavenny.

But both departments are now experiencing an "extreme" volume of people.

The health board has appealed for patients to consider using an alternative service.

"Please can we urge the Gwent public to use the Choose Well information and visit other healthcare options, such as minor injuries, GP or pharmacy if possible instead of the emergency units," a spokeswoman for the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said.

There have been "significant" IT problems at the Royal Gwent Hospital since Thursday morning.

A spokeswoman said repair work was being done to minimise disruption to patients.