THE Welsh Government’s refusal to bail out mid Wales health chiefs despite a warning they will not balance their budgets could affect services, opposition AMs have warned.

Hywel Dda and Betsi Cadwaladr are amongst four health boards that will go overbudget by tens of millions of pounds.

Hywel Dda has warned of an estimated overspend of almost £50m and Betsi Cadwaladr chiefs anticipate a £30m overspend by the end of the financial year.

But the Welsh Government has insisted that it will not “bail out” the boards and has insisted both must do more to address the financial issues that have caused problems in recent years.

Opposition AMs have warned that health services in the two board areas could be put in jeopardy because of the financial situation.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew T Davies said it was unfeasible that services would not be hit if additional money was not made available.

He said: “Welsh health boards are carrying damaging deficits into the new financial year and it is inconceivable that services will not suffer as a result.

“Health board deficits in Wales are now double those in England, and without additional funding something has to give.

“Finances are on a cliff edge, and the First Minister’s promise not to bail out health boards is untenable - unless the Welsh Labour Government is willing to allow services to close."

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