Hywel Dda Health Board has cancelled all non-urgent surgery in Pembrokeshire, due to the adverse weather.

The board announced today (Monday) that all non-urgent surgery will be cancelled across the three counties until the end of the week. This, they said, is to ensure patient safety and help maintain emergency health services.

At present, however, out-patient clinics remain open.

The board said that over the past week hospitals in the region have been extremely busy, due to high levels of activity, difficulties in discharging patients home and getting staff into work.

The health board has contingency plans to deal with winter pressures such as these and has implemented a number of measures in addition to the cancellation of non-emergency surgery.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure emergency services continue to be provided and to protect the health and safety of our local population," said Chief Executive Trevor Purt.

"This includes cancelling non-urgent surgery, working closely with the ambulance service to get patients in and out of hospital, and using 4x4s to get staff into our hospitals and community settings."

Mr Purt paid tribute to staff members who have struggled through difficult conditions to get into work, sharing lifts; working additional hours, and even staying in hospital overnight to be available to start work the next day.

“We are also extremely grateful to our partners for helping out," he said.

"For example, we are working with the local authorities to ensure medication is delivered to the homes of critically ill patients and the Environment Agency has also provided us with the use of their 4x4 vehicles and drivers to help get staff to and from our hospitals and community locations.”

As another severe weather warning is issued for the region, patients are urged to use services responsibly; only calling 999 using Accident and Emergency departments in emergencies.