HEALTH conditions know no borders and neither should the health service, an Assembly Member has said.

Jack Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, said people in his constituency are deeply concerned regarding the Countess of Chester's decision not to accept new referrals for Welsh patients.

Speaking at the Senedd, the AM told the Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, his constituents need assurances that this situation will bot happen again.

He said: "Minister, you will know, following our meeting on this issue that people in my constituency and indeed right across Flintshire are deeply, deeply concerned and angry about what the future will mean.

"I share them feelings and playing politics on this issue is a complete disgrace.

"My constituents want to know why we’re in this situation but most importantly they want to know what’s going to happen in future.

"There needs to be immediate interim solutions to this issue whilst the negotiations take place.

"We also need assurances that this situation will never happen again , not just to my constituents but any patient which uses cross-border services.

"So Minister, can I press on you to work with me and colleagues from North East Wales to ensure that happens, because health conditions know no borders and neither should the health service?"

The Countess of Chester recently announced it would no longer be admitting patients from Wales for elective surgery.

The decision stems down to the allocation of funding and different tariffs charged for operations in Welsh and English hospitals.

It has previously been reported by the Leader that Mark Tami MP requested urgent Government attention for the issue.

Mr Gething told members at the Senedd that there has been some progress on arrangements with the English system and he has had direct conversations with UK Ministers.

In response to Mr Sargeant's question, the Health Minister said: "I too want to see an interim agreement that allows us to carry on with the longer term challenges, not just an agreement with the Countess of Chester, but with every provider of cross-border healthcare, and to make sure we have something that will last in the future years as well."

Mr Gething said there is currently progress in having a Welsh voice around the table when English providers are setting new tariff arrangements.

He added: It'll still not be our choice about what those arrangements are. I want something that works here in England and Wales, and, obviously, there are similar considerations for other nations in the UK as well.

"So, I will continue to update you on the progress that we are making, but this should not have happened. It is in direct contravention of the cross-border protocol that provides that both countries will act in the interest of the patient at all times and there'll be no delay in accessing healthcare services whilst commissioning responsibilities are clarified.

"I hope that message is heard in the Countess of Chester and that your constituents will not be placed in the position they are today."