NEARLY 20,000 appointments at Wrexham Maelor Hospital were cancelled between January and July of this year, figures reveal.

Responding to a freedom of information (FOI) request from the Leader, Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board figures show that 19,139 appointments at the hospital were cancelled in the period January 1 and July 31.

The figures are revealed in the wake of concerns raised by chief officer at the North Wales Community Health Council, Geoff Ryall-Harvey, about a potential backlog of appointments due to the Covid-19 outbreak which leaves patients at risk of health conditions worsening.

Health board figures also show that over 7,000 less patients attended Wrexham Maelor Hospital's A+E department between January and July compared to the same period last year, in line with concerns raised by Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board during the lockdown that a lot people weren't attending the Maelor's A+E department due to Covid-19 fears.

Mr Ryall-Harvey said: ""We're hearing a lot of concern from people who were due tests months ago for urgent things like cancer and still haven't had them.

"It is difficult to get a handle on the size of the problem but in its recent referral to treatment figures as of July 31, there were more than 30,000 people who have waited more than 36 weeks for treatment.

"And it's the same everywhere - I wouldn't single Betsi Cadwaladr out. The normal solution would be to search for other health providers within a reasonable distance and see if they have spare capacity.

"But everyone is in the same position. Nobody has any spare capacity. "So the health board has a massive challenge in getting those figures down, whether they are waiting for tests or procedures."

A Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board spokesperson said: "In line with other NHS organisations, we will be scheduling patient’s treatment in order of clinical priority.

"However, patients will need to be prepared for longer waits than anticipated prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"If you are having elective surgery at one of our hospitals, you will be given a Covid-19 test and then asked to self-isolate before your admission into hospital.

"If there has been any change in your clinical condition, please contact your GP."