Further to WQ87249, will the Minister list regional treatment centers or centers of expertise that health boards have presented as possible options to the Government?
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services | Answered on 20/02/2023
As indicated in the response to WQ87249, we are committed to the development of additional capacity in the NHS as part of delivering the national recovery plan. It is not appropriate at this stage to list areas still in the planning stage, but I have listed areas that have already been delivered.
Progress to date 2022-23.
- At Neath Port Talbot Hospital, Swansea Bay UHB has redesigned and centralised elective orthopaedic capacity with additional theatres and wards being made available., this will be fully operational June 2023.
- Hywel Dda UHB has established dedicated day case theatres at Prince Phillip Hospital to increase capacity for day case treatments. This will enable the health board to carry out up to 4,600 additional cases per annum.
- Cardiff and Vale UHB has been supported with additional Welsh Government investment to provide dedicated resources for ophthalmology services through an additional mobile unit placed on the UHW hospital site. Access has been expanded to provide treatments for long-waiting ophthalmology pathways from across the South East Wales region.
- I was pleased to announce on 15 February, the first new diagnostics and treatment centre for the South East Wales region, located in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
I expect to make additional announcements in 2023-24 as NHS plans are finalised across each region to deliver on commitments in our national recovery plan.