ROUTINE operations have been postponed at Glan Clwyd Hospital as staff work hard to manage emergency departments.

Last week, our sister title The Rhyl Journal reported that elective surgical procedures had been temporarily postponed at Abergele Hospital as staff had been temporarily relocated to Glan Clwyd Hospital to help.

Earlier this week, a number of routine operations were postponed at Glan Clwyd Hospital as well as Wrexham Maelor and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), which has been in special measures since 2015, said operations have been delayed due to ‘additional pressures’ on staff.

Patients affected will have their operations rescheduled ‘as soon as possible’.

A spokesperson for BCUHB said: “As part of a planned approach to focus our resources on caring for more patients who need to be admitted for emergency assessment and treatment, we postponed routine operations at Glan Clwyd Hospital on Monday and Tuesday. These will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

“A small number of routine operations have also been postponed at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Ysbyty Gwynedd. We apologise for any inconvenience and disruption this has caused.

“We continue to urge people to help us deliver the best care by choosing the right source of treatment to meet their needs. This includes considering whether one of our Minor Injuries Units or a local pharmacist could address your health concern.”

Planned surgery at Abergele Hospital is expected to continue from January 9.

The spokesperson from BCUHB added: “We continue to urge people to help us deliver the best care by choosing the right source of treatment to meet their needs. This includes considering whether one of our Minor Injuries Units or a local pharmacist could address your health concern.

“We are also asking relatives and friends to support us by collecting their loved ones promptly when they are ready to leave hospital. This will help us to ensure beds are made available for other people who need them as early as possible.”

Responding to the cancellation of operations at BCUHB, Paul Summers, UNISON Cymru Wales head of health, said: “Wholesale cancellation of routine operations shows why it is essential we properly invest in hospitals and in safe staff numbers.

“Healthcare employees are working as hard as they possibly can, often going way beyond, to keep services running in trying circumstances. They are very worried about the pressures the NHS is under – this is no longer just a winter phenomenon.

“We have an emergency care and social care system that cannot adequately support a population which is living longer and has complex health needs.

“Since 2010, severe spending cuts driven by Westminster have deprived Welsh councils of the funds they need to invest in social care. This money would help care for older people in their own homes as much as possible and allow for their prompt release from hospital after treatment.

“Boris Johnson promised more money for the NHS in the election and we need to see that in the health boards in Wales immediately so that routine operations don’t need to be cancelled and people get the treatment they require. The NHS in Wales cannot wait until March to see what the Budget brings as it may be too late by then for many patients.”

Information on the best source of treatment can be found by calling NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47. Further advice on where to seek medical attention can be found on the Choose Well website (www.choosewellwales.org.uk) or through the free Choose Well Wales app.