Opposition parties have criticised plans for a task force to tackle the winter crisis in the health service in Wales.

Welsh Health Secretary, Jane Hutt, announced on Wednesday that she is establishing a team to look at managing pressures on the NHS.

The criticism comes as the latest figures on the flu outbreak in Wales shows the numbers of patients appears to have peaked and is falling.

Ms Hutt said the fall of reported cases from 189 per 100,000 to 157 per 100,000 was "encouraging".

But Conservative Assembly leader Nick Bourne described Ms Hutt's handling of the crisis as a "shambles" and Plaid Cymru's Assembly health spokesperson Dr Dai Lloyd was also critical.

"What we need is action now - not task forces that might report back in about six months time," said Dr Lloyd.

"Jane Hutt should know what the issues are after all those hospital visits - they are the shortage of beds, a shortage of nurses and a lack of manpower generally," he added.

Urgent meeting

Ms Hutt held what was described as an urgent meeting with the chief medical officer for Wales Dr Ruth Hall, and senior health and social services officials, earlier this week.

Ms Hutt said the pressures had been immense and she would be seeking the backing of the Assembly's health and social services committee next week in setting up an expert group.

She said the task force would look at any lessons to be learnt so that examples of good practice could be extended across the country.

Ms Hutt said she was looking for "quick early answers" to ensure measures were in place in time for next winter.

Hospitals in Wales have been under great pressure in the past couple of weeks as a result of the flu outbreak, which is thought to be the worst in a decade.

Struggling

Many general hospitals have struggled to find emergency beds for some of the sickest patients.

On Thursday, Welsh NHS managers were reporting continuing problems.

All the medical beds were full at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest and at the new Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant.

The majority of hospitals also said there was no spare capacity in their intensive care units.

Staff sickness levels are also high - with some hospitals suffering from double the normal rate of absence.

Figures are due to be released on Friday showing the number of recorded flu cases in Wales.