Commenting on the ‘unprecedented’ pressure that hospital emergency departments say they are experiencing across Wales – and the postponement of some operations as a result of a high number of admissions - Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM said:

“This is a perfect storm for a cash-starved health service already hanging on by its fingernails.

“These pressures are likely to result in longer waiting lists, delayed ambulance response times, and increased risk for patients.

“We need swift assurances that these severe problems have not been caused by on-going financial chaos and looming end-of-year debt.

“Carwyn Jones’s government lost its grip on our NHS a long time ago and hard-working frontline staff have been shackled by his record-breaking budget cuts.”