Hywel Dda University Health Board has issued a heartfelt apology to around 200 rheumatology patients affected by problems issuing prescriptions for biologic drugs.

On October 15th patients and doctors were sent letters saying that prescriptions for biologic drugs, a relatively new treatment given as a last resort, were on hold for the foreseeable future, due to a lack of cover for maternity leave in the rheumatology department.

Patients were told not to contact the department with problems caused by this interruption, as it would further hinder the running of the service

The only alternative treatment offered to biologics patients was an intra-muscular injection. Which GPs were urged to administer in practice.

"We have already done all we can to avoid this situation..." read the letter. "We sincerely regret this unfortunate development which we consider to be serious, and hope for a prompt resolution."

On receiving her letter, rheumatology patient Jackie Corby called the decision "horrendous".

"It has come as a real shock," she said "I have been told there is nothing I can do. It's madness.

"This particular drug is a little bit of a last option. I've tried everything else. It's not good and they gave us no other avenue to go down. It's disgusting."

24 hours later Mrs Corby was told that the health board was recruiting to cover the maternity leave and that the treatment would be available to her, but given no time frame.

"It's madness, I still don't know when I'm going to get my medication," she said. "We are still up in the air. It's horrible to be honest with you."

The health board has now said that normal service for prescribing biologics drugs will resume at Withybush on November 14th.

"I wish to convey our sincerest apologies to patients for the inconvenience and distress this letter has caused," said Dr Sian Lewis, medical lead for acute services.

"The disruption arose due to a member of staff starting maternity leave earlier than expected, however we fully accept that our communication with patients should have been handled differently.

"I would like to publically reassure our patients that a normal service for prescribing biologic therapies at Withybush Hospital will resume on November 10. In the meantime we are doing our best to minimise disruption, with our existing staff taking on additional work."