HEALTH bosses have told heart patients their operations should go ahead without extra delay after all - and apologised for any distress and anxiety suffered.

The climbdown by North Yorkshire Health Authority came in a letter to about 40 patients whose angioplasty surgery had previously been postponed for at least two months because of an NHS cash shortfall. They were told the operations should go ahead "in accordance with normal clinical practice", and the authority would fund all such surgery.

But a health authority spokesman told the Evening Press that the decision could result in it running up a deficit, unless savings were made elsewhere.

The paper revealed earlier this week how patients were given shock news about the extra delays in a letter from three York consultant cardiologists - Maurice Pye, John Crook and Simon Megarry.

The blamed "rationing" by the health authority, and said they found this very strange when the Government was trying to reduce waiting times.

Patients said health budget restraints were putting cash before their lives. One, Ray Wheatland, feared he could die before he got the angioplasty he needed.

But in the new letter, Dr Jeffrie Strang, acting director of public health, said: "It has been confirmed with the York cardiologists that they should proceed with the treatment of all patients waiting for angioplasty in accordance with normal clinical practice."

He said: "The health authority will provide funding for all patients treated whenever angioplasty takes place.

"On behalf of North Yorkshire Health Authority, I would wish to apologise for any distress and anxiety you have experienced."

He said the health authority and York District Hospital were working together to ensure patients received the highest standards of care as promptly as possible.

Anyone wishing to discuss the matter further should contact their consultant's secretary and arrangements would be made for an urgent outpatient appointment.

Updated: 11:15 Friday, February 08, 2002