Commenting on Hywel Dda Health Board's 'winter pressures plan' – which reportedly includes the potential for the cancellation of all non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at four general hospitals in mid and west Wales this winter - Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM said:

"This decision has been forced upon the health board by Labour's inability to recruit permanent staff and properly invest in the health service.

"Carwyn Jones's legacy of health budget cuts continues to heap untold pressures on frontline staff and – yet again – it is patients who will suffer.

"There should be absolutely no suggestion of cancelled operations.

"The health board should work with the independent sector to ensure that patients can access the treatment they need."

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Angela Burns said:

"These are the actions of a health board desperately struggling in the face of mounting pressures.

"The Labour government refuses to publish a winter pressures plan for hospitals – despite the UK Government publishing a plan of support for England.

"Now NHS bosses in this region have been forced to come up with their own proposals.

"I am shocked and appalled that patients could be forced to wait longer for treatment – when delays are already unacceptable.

"This must not be allowed to continue and I urge the First Minister to step in urgently."

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies said:

"This announcement leaves patients in limbo – wondering whether or not they'll actually be seen this winter, as they've been promised.

"Labour's legacy of NHS cuts is hitting patients hard yet again and I urge the health board to properly explain its decision."