HEALTH bosses have taken preparations for the worst of the winter weather and held talks over the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Members of the Aneurin Bevan University Health board were updated on its winter planning at their September meeting which aims to prevent hospital admissions, protect acute capacity at hospitals including providing extra beds if necessary and speed up the discharge of patients.

Independent board member Akmal Hanuk asked if the risk of flooding to hospitals and the health board’s other sites dispersed across Gwent had also been considered.

He said: “In relation to flash flooding a very wet season is anticipated. What are the risks in terms of our estate?”

Director of planning Hannah Evans said talks with the Welsh Government included discussing the risk from El Niño. Latest data on the natural weather phenomenon, from the World Meteorological Organization, has shown it could be the strongest for more than 70 years and last until at least February 2027.

El Niño changes weather patterns around the world and can lead to flooding and stronger typhoons in some areas while causing droughts in others.

Ms Evans said: “We’ve had conversation with the Welsh Government, including about El Niño, and taking on a lot of additional work on the effect, not just flooding, but the impacts of climate change.

“We learnt a lot from the hot weather critical incident in terms of our estate.”

The director also said there had been “a lot of learning” from previous flooding “particularly in Monmouth” with “business continuity plans in place” which she said had been “tested in real time” and said the board is prepared for any flooding.

Chief executive Nicola Prygodzicz had earlier, at the same meeting, said she had attended a discussion with staff on climate change including personal and organisational actions that can be taken to address it and reduce carbon emissions.