A mother has been left “devastated” after her five-year-old son’s hospital surgery was cancelled due to thousands of junior doctors starting four-day strike action.
The four-day strike represents the longest period of industrial action yet and comes in an ongoing dispute with the Welsh Government over pay and working conditions.
Lindsey Thomas revealed her five-year-old son Alexander has been waiting for abdominal surgery for two years..
Alexander’s surgery was scheduled to take place today.
Doctors and supporters gather at the University Hospital of Wales
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However, Lindsey was informed the procedure had been cancelled after ringing to check in on Monday.
The young boy has a 50 per cent chance of developing a rare type of bladder cancer, called Urachal, as an adult if he does not have the surgery.
Lindsey told ITV: “It's been the apprehension, the constant waiting, calling the hospital, trying to get a date, then finally getting a date and then being told that this is not going to happen again for another number of weeks, it's just added to the stress and the worry.
“It was a perfect date for us this time - it's the Easter holidays, he wouldn't have missed much school.
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Striking NHS junior doctors on the picket linePA“We've been told he needs roughly two weeks off school after the surgery to heal and to be told that this is not going to happen now when it would have been the perfect time has added to the concern and frustration.”
Despite voicing her frustration, Lindsey does not blame junior doctors in Wales.
She added: "I have to think of it from their [junior doctors'] perspective too.
“Clearly there's enough of a problem with their pay and they wouldn't be doing this is they were being paid fairly.
"It's clear that the Welsh Government does need to get back around the negotiating table with them to get this sorted out.
Wales Health Minister Eluned Morgan
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"These individuals, many of them have gone through the pandemic, got us through that, put in the extra effort and love and care for their patients and I think it's only fair that the government does renegotiate with them."
The Welsh Government is refusing to accept demands put forward by junior doctors, claiming Cardiff Bay cannot afford more than a five per cent pay rise.
However, junior doctors have argued pay has been cut by almost a third since 2008.
Welsh Health Secretary Eluned Morgan reiterated Cardiff Bay does not have the budget to fulfill their demands.
She said: "Our offer is at the limits of the finances available to us and reflects the position reached with the other health unions."