The chairman of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, whose vascular services were slammed in a recent report, has described his "anger, concern and disappointment" at the findings.

The Royal College of Surgeons was commissioned by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in 2020 to examine the service due to concerns following the centralisation of the service at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan.

The damning report, which was published last month, highlighted issues over the standard of care, poor record-keeping, obtaining consent for procedures and in following up cases.

Forty-four cases were examined but no medical records were found for a further six patients.

Many of the records and documentation were described as "disorganised, illegible and incomplete".

Last week Health Minister Eluned Morgan warned that unless the situation improved within three months the Board risked being returned to Special Measures from which it had been cleared in November, 2020.

At a special meeting of the Board chairman Mark Polin said: "It is difficult for me to describe the anger, concern, disappointment and many other feelings I held on this."

He said the report justified the concerns of the Board which had led them to commission to study and the failings were "shocking and completely unacceptable".

Mr Polin gave an assurance, however, that the Royal College's recommendations were being implemented as a matter of urgency and the situation was being closely monitored.

Executive medical director Dr Nick Lyons said that since the publication of the report he had heard from other patients or their families with concerns.

"I received one letter which brought me close to tears in terms of the story that that patient related about the care we had given his wife," he said.

Dr Lyons outlined the measures being taken to address the problems but said he was concerned about the possible effect of the criticism on the morale of staff.

He added: "I do worry because there are loads of good people within the vascular service who come in and do the right things every day."