More than a dozen patients have had timely surgeries delayed after thousands of emails were left unread in an inbox at a major hospital.

An urgent review at Canterbury Hospital in Sydney, found that four patients needing urgent procedures and 12 with semi-urgent conditions had not been allocated dates for elective surgeries within clinically recommended timeframes as a result of the bungle.

Referrals for the 16 patients were missed while emails sat in the inbox, which was not monitored.

“Patient safety and wellbeing remain our highest priorities, and we have worked urgently to minimise any impact on those affected,” a Sydney Local Health District spokesperson said on Sunday.