Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has cancelled all planned appointments and clinics for the day of the Queen's funeral.
The UK government has said that the Queen's funeral will be at 11am on Monday, September 19 and it has been designated as a bank holiday for the entirety of the UK including Wales. Schools will be closed but when it comes to employment the UK Government guidance is that the decision on closures "is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer" and that "there is no statutory entitlement to time off for bank holidays, but employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement".
The Welsh NHS is currently on its knees with enormous backlogs and some people waiting over two years for procedures. Many in substantial amounts of pain. In a statement the health board said the cancellations were "unavoidable" but that some people may be contacted depending on the urgency of their appointment "if agreed with patients and the teams".
HAVE YOU BEEN AFFECTED BY THE CANCELLATIONS? WalesOnline wants to tell the stories of the people affected by the cancellations and backlogs in the health service. If you wish to share you experience please email will.hayward@walesonline.co.uk.
A spokesman for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said: “In light of confirmation that there will be a bank holiday to mark the Queen’s state funeral, the Health Board is postponing all planned appointments and clinics on Monday, September 19. However, some patients may be contacted due to the urgency of their appointment to proceed if agreed with patients and the teams.
“The Health Board will be in contact with all patients affected by this announcement to make alternative arrangements for their care. GP surgeries and most community pharmacies will be closed on the day, and we will be encouraging residents to order repeat prescriptions this week.
“Our urgent and emergency care services will continue on the bank holiday. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this unavoidable disruption to our services.”
The news will be devastating to the thousands of people waiting for procedures. Just a few weeks ago WalesOnline told the story of a facing up to a three-year wait to get her gallbladder removed on the Welsh NHS claims she was told by doctors to "take a holiday to England" in the hope one of their A&E departments will operate on her as an emergency. Sarah Clement, who has suffered with abdominal pain since summer 2019, said her condition has deteriorated to such an extent that she cannot eat, drink, or sleep properly.
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