Covid: Minister cannot rule out suspending NHS services

Routine surgeries have been delayed because of the pandemic

The health minister has said she "can't rule out" routine services being suspended during the winter months.

Eluned Morgan said staffing pressures could force some health boards "to look at how they're giving their services".

The boss of NHS Wales, Andrew Goodall, said the health service faces its "most challenging period" as it tries to catch up with a backlog of planned treatments.

Measures also remain in place in hospitals to stop the spread of Covid.

"We're very keen to see health boards try and do as much routine work as possible but I can't make any promises when we still don't know what we're going to face this winter," Ms Morgan told the BBC Wales Live programme.

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The first wave of the pandemic saw surgeries cancelled to help free up beds, and while the third wave has brought fewer Covid patients, they still add to pressures.

On Wednesday, the daily average of patients with confirmed Covid was 439 - the highest figure this month so far, although well below numbers seen in previous waves.

Bed occupancy has reached 90% this week, with the average number of patients being treated for all conditions the highest seen in acute hospitals in Wales since the pandemic began.

The NHS in Wales is trying to tackle a backlog of waiting lists while hospitals face the challenge of treating patients with Covid.

Scientific modelling for the Welsh Government suggests we are heading for a peak in the next few weeks in terms of the number of Covid hospital cases, although a new report said the "exact turning point is not clear".

Ms Morgan was also asked about the restructuring of vascular services at Betsi Cadwaladr health board after a woman said her husband faced losing both his legs due to a flawed reorganisation.

The health minister said she would be holding the health board's "feet to the fire" to get better outcomes.

Since 2019, people from around north Wales have had to travel to access a centralised vascular service in Bodelwyddan.

Pete, 51, is awaiting an operation to amputate his second leg because of complications originating from diabetes he has lived with for 22 years, with his wife saying "I lost the man I married".

"I've spoken to people that are very disappointed about the restructure that's happened in north Wales and I've spoken to the health board about the restructure and we are expecting better outcomes," the health minister said.

The health board says it remains "committed to providing a stable, high quality vascular service for north Wales".