FRESH concerns have been raised over North Wales' health board after Wrexham Maelor Hospital's MRI scanner broke down.

Betsi Cadwaladr confirmed the hospital's scanner broke down over the weekend - forcing the cancellation of what the health board says is about 100 appointments in this period.

While the health board hopes to have the scanner back up and running by Christmas Day, grave concerns have been raised about both the hospital and Betsi Cadwaladr.

County councillor for Buckley Mountain, Carol Ellis is campaigning for Flintshire to have its own major hospital due to growing concerns over Wrexham Maelor's ability to cope with growing numbers of patients.

Earlier in the year, she described waiting times at the hospital as 'horrific' .

In October, the Leader reported how Cllr Ellis' concerns led to a motion being put forward to all councillors in Flintshire asking them to support calls for the government to step in amid growing criticism of the region’s health board.

And the latest issue has only served to add further fuel to the fire.

She said: "A resident came to me saying their brain scan appointment set for Christmas Eve had been cancelled due to the Maelor's MRI scanner being out of action.

"She has already waited three months for what is are very nerve wracking appointment, and she now she faces a further anxious wait.

"She doesn't even know when the appointment will be rebooked."

And while Cllr Ellis acknowledges that machinery can break down, she thinks alternatives could have been found.

She said: "We have Glan Clwyd and the Countess of Chester close by - it's disappointing that neither of these hospitals could fit people in.

"People almost have to gear themselves up for these type of scans as they're uncertain as to what the issue might be.

"For all the people this week who had what were very important appointments, it's hugely frustrating."

A Betsi Cadwaladr spokesman said: “The MRI scanner at Wrexham Maelor Hospital broke down over the weekend. We have identified the issue with the scanner, and following repairs expect to have it back up and running on Christmas Day.

“While this work is carried out, appointments for outpatient scans have been cancelled. Cancelled appointments will be rebooked as soon as possible once the MRI scanner is working again, with priority given to patients with the most urgent clinical need.

“We are also working to accommodate in-patient scans at our other hospitals as much as possible.”