An estimated �1m is needed if the two cardiac units in Wales are to slash the time that patients have to wait for surgery.

Earlier this month, the Welsh Assembly announced a �2m funding boost in an effort to ease waiting times - but now the body responsible for overseeing the problem has said that sum alone is not enough.

The Specialised Health Services Commission estimates that a total of 439 patients currently on waiting lists in mid and south Wales need cardiac surgery within the next year.

That is the figure which has been set if hospitals are to meet the target of eliminating waits of over 12 months by March next year.

Watchdogs' concern

Almost 200 patients can be treated at Morriston Hospital in Swansea and the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

The rest would have to be dealt with at London's Hammersmith Hospital.

But there is concern from some health watchdogs that not all patients are being given the opportunity of choosing to go to London.

And they are also worried that in south Wales patients are not being treated as quickly as they should - because managers are refusing to ring-fence beds specifically for heart patients.

Offer refused

Last week, a Welsh health trust turned down a donation thought to be worth �750,000 which could have paid for a cardiac unit in an area of Wales with some of the worst heart problems.

The Pontypridd and Rhondda NHS trust turned down the offer of funding for the unit at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, south Wales.

The undisclosed donor had wanted to give the money to provide heart treatment facilities - but the trust has said there were unacceptable conditions attached.

Despite being based in Rhondda Cynon Taff - one of the worst parts of Wales for cardiac problems - the Royal Glamorgan does not have a specialist unit.

Benefactor

Patients from the area are normally sent to Cardiff or Swansea - because it is NHS policy for specialist units to treat cardiac patients, rather than district general hospitals like the Royal Glamorgan.

The anonymous benefactor had insisted the money was used for a cardiac unit, capable of simple heart procedures.

And they are also worried that in south Wales patients are not being treated as quickly as they should - because managers are refusing to ring-fence beds specifically for heart patients.