Health bosses are examining the circumstances surrounding an error that caused eight people to be turned away from a hospital on the day they were due to have operations.

The individuals had been expected at the eye unit of the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport for planned procedures when they were told to go back home on Monday, April 27.

The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which runs the hospital, said the postponements were caused by an error in purchasing supplies for its operating theatres.

One person who left the outpatient appointment and chose not to be named said workers indicated there were no sterile instruments on hand to carry out the treatments.

That person explained that appointments had been set and preparations were underway, with patients receiving dilating drops and staff checking their details, before a worker came out to say no operations could take place because equipment was lacking. Someone asked what that meant and was told there were no clean tools available.

A spokesperson for the health board confirmed that eight patients saw their procedures called off and offered an apology.

The representative said the board regretted the disruption caused to the eight patients whose operations were postponed the previous day at the Royal Gwent Hospital.

The postponements happened because of an error in the procurement of equipment for their operating theatres.

Those affected will receive fresh dates for their treatment as soon as possible.

A review has been started to make certain that lessons are taken from this incident so that other patients do not face similar problems in future.