Staffing issues have led to fewer operations being carried out at Bronglais Hospital.

Health chiefs at Hywel Dda University Health Board have confirmed that challenges maintaining enough anaesthetic staff has led to fewer operations being carried out at the Aberystwyth site.

Concerns have been raised with the Cambrian News, with residents saying no orthopaedic operations have been carried out at Bronglais Hospital since May, which the health board has denied.

The health board added that the Bronglais team has maintained full emergency and weekend cover but the lack of anaesthetic staff has impacted all surgeries.

Mark Henwood, Medical Director at Hywel Dda University Health Board said: "We continued to deliver orthopaedic operating sessions at Bronglais Hospital during May, June, and July 2026, although at a lower level than usual.

"This was due to challenges in maintaining enough anaesthetic staff at Bronglais. Seasonal factors, including annual leave, have added to these pressures and affected the availability of general anaesthetic services.

"We are recruiting more anaesthetic staff for Bronglais and we are working flexibly across our services to make the best use of our staff available.

“We are also prioritising patients with the greatest clinical need to ensure those who need treatment most urgently are seen first.

"We are sorry that this is impacting our patients who are waiting for treatment.

Paging Doctor Mabon art
(Cambrian News)

Local campaign group, Protect Bronglais Services, raised concerns over the revelation.

Chair, Lisa Francis said: “In terms of Hywel Dda Health Board telling us that there are a lower level of orthopaedic operations taking place at Bronglais due to an unavailability of general anaesthetic services, I suppose we cannot be surprised when at the end of June, the Head of NHS Wales cited the Board as lacking sufficient grip on its biggest challenges and showing 'a clear lack of ambition to deliver.

“This is concerning and can only get incrementally worse unless more anaesthetists are employed.

“There is nothing worse for someone than having to wait in pain until a place becomes available.

“Obviously delays to surgeries such as hip and knee replacements can severely impact upon a person's quality of life, often preventing them from working, etc. All of this means that post surgery recovery can be difficult too.

“PBS first heard unconfirmed reports about a lack of anaesthetists back in June and a look at the Senedd record shows that Senedd Members were concerned enough to be raising written questions at around this time as well, although no answers were forthcoming.

“Executive Medical Director Henwood states that the shortages are due to 'seasonal factors and annual leave'.

“I don't know quite what 'seasonal factors' here refers to but annual leave is something that should be better managed and organised.

“I'm afraid this is yet another sign of Hywel Dda's lack of grip more generally which is worrying.”