Hywel Dda – New Orthopaedic Centre development is good news for Llanelli

Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital will be the centre for complex planned orthopaedic surgery in the south of Hywel Dda Health Board.

Prince Philip Hospital already carries out the vast majority of planned (elective) orthopaedic surgery for patients from across Carmarthenshire. This includes routine operations as well the more complex. By becoming the Orthopaedic Centre for the south of the Health Board, Prince Philip Hospital will in the future provide more specialist surgery and revision procedures (for example where a previous hip or knee replacement has worn out and needs a second replacement) in addition to the operations already available.

Joint replacements, for example hips and knees, are presently provided at Prince Philip Hospital and following feedback from the consultation process these procedures will continue to be provided by surgeons in Prince Philip Hospital, as well as Bronglais and Withybush Hospitals.

Dr Phil Kloer, Director of Clinical Services said: “The go ahead to develop an Orthopaedic Centre at Prince Philip Hospital is fantastic news for Llanelli and will ensure Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire patients, and hopefully in future patients from across South Wales, have a centre dedicated to complex planned orthopaedic surgery within the boundaries of Hywel Dda Health Board.

“It makes sense for the small number of patients who require complex operations to be treated in one location, and for the south of Hywel Dda this will be at Prince Philip Hospital. Clear pathways will be developed to ensure that patients from outside Llanelli receive as much care as possible locally both before and after their operation.”

The plans will now be developed by a dedicated Implementation Board involving clinical staff.

Further information on the progress of the Orthopaedic Centre will be made public as it becomes available.