Patients will be sent a new date in about a month

A letter, being drafted by the Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust and the primary care trusts (PCTs), will be sent out to about 200 patients.

It says if the operations go ahead on the dates suggested, which are within government targets, less money would be available for other services.

The trust declined to be interviewed, but has said it was "very sorry" for the inconvenience to patients.

Financial year

The number of procedures to be postponed was originally about 500, but this was reduced after negotiations.

A copy of the draft letter, obtained by BBC News, said: "If the PCT allows these operations to go ahead on the dates suggested, it will mean that it will have less money to spend on other services.

"As this would be unfair on those people who need those other services, the decision has been taken to delay your operation."

The operations being cancelled were due to take place in March, before the end of the financial year.

They are described as non-urgent and include hip replacements, hernia repairs, tooth extractions and skin procedures.

The decision to postpone the procedures has been made by the PCTs, who control the financial budgets of the hospitals.

The PCTs have also declined to comment.

A new appointment date will be sent to patients in about a month.