PROCEDURES at a hospital have been temporarily postponed.

Due to high emergency demand over Christmas and the New Year period, staff from Abergele Hospital have been temporarily relocated to Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan.

As a result, a number of elective surgical procedures - which were due to take place at Abergele Hospital - have been postponed.

One patient affected, who asked not to be named, said: "I was due to visit the Abergele Orthopaedics. They postponed my appointment on New Year's Eve - I had been waiting for such a long time for it.

"I was told they had closed part of the hospital - the orthopaedics. They told me that A&E at Glan Clwyd Hospital has been so overwhelmed, they have had to send staff there."

A spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) said: "A small number of elective surgical procedures which were due to take place at Abergele Hospital have been postponed, and will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

"We continue to urge people to help us deliver the best care by choosing the right source of treatment to meet their needs. Information on the best source of treatment can be found by calling NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.

"Further advice on where to seek medical attention can be found on the Choose Well website (www.choosewellwales.org.uk) or through the free Choose Well Wales app.”

Abergele Hospital has facilities such as Stanley Eye Unit, North Wales Adolescent Service and Orthopaedics (planned surgery and post-operative rehabilitation service).