Hywel Dda Health Board has confirmed that is has listened to consultation feedback and short stay orthopaedic surgery, including hip and knee replacements, will continue to provided in each of the three counties.
Only revisions and complex procedures will be undertaken at an Orthopaedic Centre at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, for Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire patients, and increasingly patients from other parts of South Wales.
Patients will benefit from a high quality service that will reduce the current duplication within the service and a reduction in the number of operations cancelled due to unplanned, emergency cases. This is because theatres at Prince Philip Hospital only carry out planned operations. Patients who currently have to travel outside of the Health Board area will also be able to receive more specialist and complex orthopaedic procedures, revisions and specialist rehabilitation closer to home in Llanelli.
Dr Phil Kloer, Director of Clinical Services said: “The go ahead to develop an Orthopaedic Centre at Prince Philip Hospital will ensure Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire patients, and hopefully eventually patients from across South Wales, have a centre dedicated to complex surgeries and revisions.
“Following concerns raised from the public and staff, our plans are to maintain day surgery and short stay operations at Withybush Hospital. Only the more complex operations will take place in Prince Philip Hospital and clear pathways to ensure patients can return home or be cared for locally pre and post op will be carefully considered by the implementation group.”
The business case will now be developed and will be decided by a dedicated Implementation Board. The Board will be responsible for developing clear clinically-led patient pathways. Further information on the progress of the Orthopaedic Centre will be made public as it becomes available.
The full recommendation report, and other resources, can be found at www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/Consultation
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