Aneurin Bevan Health Board, which has responsibility for the health service in Caerphilly County Borough, has been placed in special measures because of patients waiting more than six months for surgery.
Welsh Assembly Health Minister Edwina Hart said the health board has been placed in special measures over concerns of waiting times for orthopaedic surgery.
Conservative AM South Wales East William Graham said: “I am concerned that the Minister has had to take this action against the Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board.
“This is not the first time that an Assembly Health Minister has had to take action against unacceptable waiting times for orthopaedic surgery in Gwent. In November 2002, Professor Brian Edwards was called into inquire into the unacceptable level of waiting lists in the county. His report highlighted that patients were being added to the orthopaedic list faster than they could be treated.
“As a result of Prof Edwards report, the Assembly Government announced £10m funding to resolve staffing issues, increase physical capacity and to fund a orthopaedic centre at St. Woolos Hospital, that included two operating theatres and a dedicated orthopaedics ward at Neville Hall Hospital.
“The need for enhanced provision of orthopaedic services has been acknowledged for many years as our aging population will place increasing pressures upon this service.
“We expect, following the Minister’s action, immediate improvements to this service.”