A NEWPORT pensioner has waited a fortnight for a life-saving heart operation because of a lack of intensive care beds.

John Podmore, 65, is in the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, as he waits for a bed at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he will have an urgent triple heart by-pass operation.

Nine years ago Mr Podmore had a heart attack and suffers with angina.

Two weeks ago a scan revealed only 10 per cent of his arteries are working properly.

Now, two weeks on, he is still waiting for the operation which will unblock other arteries.

His wife Diane, 62, is worried that her husband will have another heart attack before the operation.

She said: "Having to wait like this is terrible. We don't know what will happen or when the operation will be at the moment.

"Tablets are keeping him alive and his arteries open.

"It is awful waiting and he is very quiet.

"He is trying to remain calm because he knows he can't get stressed. But it is worrying him and I just hope that this worry doesn't bring on another attack.

"All this is not good for his condition.

"We are just praying that we get the phone call and an intensive care bed is found for him to have the operation."

Mr Podmore said: "I am just feeling anxious because I know I am only waiting for this urgent operation because there are no beds.