PATIENT appointments at University Hospital Llandough were cancelled on Monday due to “extreme pressure” on the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board services.

Non-urgent outpatient appointments at University Hospital of Wales were also cancelled in a bid to safely manage patient care.

Appointments returned to normal on Tuesday for the rest of the week, but Vale-resident regional AM, Andrew RT Davies, expressed his concern about the cancellations and said that the move signified the pressure on the health board.

Alice Casey, chief operating officer at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “We would like to thank all members of the public in bearing with us after the decision to cancel and rearrange a number of elective and outpatient activities.

“This decision was made due to the number of patients, presenting as emergencies with complex needs requiring a high level of care, therefore our priority has been to look after these people.

“Demand on our services remains extremely high but we are able to confirm that all appointments for the rest of the week will continue as planned.

“If anyone is unsure about their situation we encourage them to contact us on 02920 748181 for help.”.

Andrew RT Davies AM, the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “I have been contacted by several patients who have arrived for appointments, with no notice that they had been cancelled.

“It’s totally unacceptable and demonstrates the pressure that health boards are under because of Welsh Labour’s failure to plan properly for the winter period.

“In other parts of the UK money was made available to plan for winter pressures several months ago. In Wales, meanwhile, Labour have just woken up to the seriousness of the situation.

“For local residents who rely on these hospitals for their treatment these cancellations will be extremely concerning and it’s high time for the Welsh Labour Government to admit there is a crisis in the Welsh NHS.”