Health

Health board: Changes will bring “resilience and sustainability” to West Wales services

Published

5 months ago

February 19, 2026

Executive Director says emergency surgery transfer is about quality — not loss

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of Strategy and Planning at Hywel Dda University Health Board has defended the decision to transfer certain emergency surgery operations from Withybush Hospital, saying the changes are designed to strengthen services rather than remove them.

***Lee Davies: Executive Director of Strategy and Planning***

Lee Davies told The Herald the “single biggest change” people in west Wales will notice is increased resilience across hospital services.

“The most significant change will be increased resilience and sustainability across services in West Wales,” he said.

“We are strengthening the way services are delivered so that they are less vulnerable to staffing pressures and more consistently available.”

Why now?

Mr Davies said the decision was driven by concerns that some services had become overly dependent on small numbers of clinicians.

“Wales covers a large geographical area, and currently many services are delivered across multiple sites,” he said.

“That has meant that clinical teams are often spread thinly, with some services heavily dependent on a small number of individuals.

“As a result, those services can become vulnerable if staffing circumstances change.”

He added that in certain areas, performance was not matching standards seen in larger UK centres.

“These changes are necessary to strengthen our services, improve sustainability, and ensure we consistently meet high standards of care.”

Emergency surgery at Withybush

Mr Davies confirmed that patients requiring certain general surgery operations will now be transferred to Glangwili Hospital.

However, he rejected suggestions that this amounted to the removal of all emergency surgical care from Pembrokeshire.

“This does not mean that all emergency surgery activity will cease at Withybush Hospital,” he said.

“A small number of patients who require operative procedures will be transferred to Glangwili. Where appropriate, patients will be transferred back to Withybush at the earliest opportunity.”

He acknowledged that some residents may perceive the change as a loss.

“We recognise that some people may see this as a loss,” he said.

“Rather than reacting to staffing pressures in an unplanned way, we are proactively designing a more sustainable and stable model. We believe this approach will provide safer, higher-quality care for the people of Pembrokeshire.”

Reassurance over local hospitals

Asked whether any hospital would lose services under the wider Clinical Services Plan, Mr Davies said no community would lose access.

“There will be changes to how services are provided across West Wales,” he said.

“However, no community will lose access to services. In some cases, services may be delivered in a different location or in a different way.”

He added that all four main hospital sites would continue to play a “vital and important role”.

Monitoring outcomes

Mr Davies said the board had established baseline quality and safety data ahead of the changes and would closely monitor performance.

“We have defined outcome measures and performance expectations,” he said.

“As we move into the improvement phase, we will evaluate whether the changes are delivering anticipated improvements in quality, safety and patient experience.”

Charity

Charity donation transforms chemotherapy waiting room at Glangwili Hospital

Published

4 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A £26,273 donation from the West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group has helped create a calmer and more comfortable space for patients undergoing cancer treatment

A GENEROUS charitable donation has helped transform the patient waiting room at Glangwili Hospital’s Chemotherapy Day Unit.

Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has used a £26,273 donation from the West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group to fund a major refurbishment of the unit’s waiting room and adjacent kitchen.

The West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group is a patient-led group of volunteers working across West and South West Wales, offering support to prostate cancer patients, as well as their families and friends.

The project has created a more welcoming, comfortable and calming environment for patients receiving treatment, along with relatives and carers who accompany them to appointments.

Before the refurbishment, the waiting area was described as dated, dark and uninviting, in contrast to the compassionate care provided by staff within the unit. Patients can often spend long periods in the space before treatment or clinic appointments.

The work included the removal of old fixtures, full redecoration, new flooring and ceiling, the purchase of more comfortable furniture, and the addition of artwork to help improve the atmosphere.

Gina Beard, Lead Cancer Nurse, said: “We are so grateful for the donation from the West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group, which has enabled us to transform the space.

“This has made a real difference to our patients. We’ve been able to create a space that feels less clinical and more comforting. The calming colours and comfortable seating help ease anxiety and make a difficult time a little more bearable for patients and their loved ones.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, added: “We are deeply grateful to the West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group for their donation.

“Your generosity has enabled us to create a pleasant and relaxing space for patients and their families.”

Hywel Dda Health Charities supports NHS patients and staff across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

Health

Deputy Minister sets out priorities for social care, mental and women’s health

Published

1 day ago

July 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Plans include same-day mental health support, a National Care Service for Wales and action on women’s health

PLANS to improve access to social care, provide same-day mental health support and strengthen women’s health services have been outlined by the Welsh Government.

Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health Delyth Jewell said she wanted to give greater prominence to areas which she believes have not received the attention they deserve.

Her priorities include progressing plans for a National Care Service for Wales, with the ambition of delivering social care that is free at the point of need.

The Deputy Minister also said safeguarding arrangements would be strengthened to better protect children and adults at risk.

Mental health services are set to move towards a model of open-access, same-day support, with 21 demonstrator sites already underway and further rollout planned.

The Welsh Government said future action on dementia will also be set out in a new Dementia Strategy for Wales, focusing on brain health, earlier diagnosis and improved support.

A Women’s Health Summit will also be held later this month, bringing together women with lived experience and clinicians.

The summit will focus on tackling the normalisation of pain, with work already underway to improve endometriosis and abortion services, as well as maternity safety and support for families who experience the loss of a baby.

Delyth Jewell said: “I want to help shine a light onto areas that haven’t had the focus they are due.

“On mental health, women’s health, and yes, the social care system that for too long has been undervalued.

“These areas deserve more attention and prominence. They deserve a voice in the heart of government, and I promise I will give that to them.”

Alzheimer’s Society’s National Influencing Manager Gemma Roberts said: “We are delighted that the Welsh Government has reaffirmed its commitment to developing a new dementia strategy for Wales. We stand ready and eager to work with the Welsh Government to turn this ambition into a reality.

“People with dementia in Wales routinely face prolonged delays to diagnosis followed by gaps and stark inequalities in treatment and support. Delays of this scale have quietly become routine for dementia, Wales’s biggest killer, but would not be accepted for cancer or heart disease. It’s vital that the Plaid Cymru manifesto commitment to a diagnosis target of 12 weeks is included in the new strategy.

“The science is flying with faster, more accurate diagnosis and new treatments on the horizon. With the delivery of a bold dementia strategy for Wales that tackles diagnosis, care and support, delivering the transformation that people living with dementia need.”

Community

Hywel Dda reaffirms commitment to Armed Forces community

Published

2 days ago

July 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL DDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD has reaffirmed its commitment to the Armed Forces community by re-signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

The covenant was signed at the Wales National Armed Forces Day 2026 event, held at Pembrey Country Park on Saturday, June 27.

It was signed on behalf of the health board by Armed Forces Champion and Independent Board Member Michael Imperato, alongside Lisa Gostling, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Workforce and Organisational Development.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a national promise to ensure that members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly. It supports serving personnel, veterans, service leavers and their families, with a veteran defined as anyone who has served for at least one day.

By re-signing the covenant, Hywel Dda says it is continuing its role as an Armed Forces friendly employer and healthcare provider across west Wales.

This includes supporting the recruitment and employment of veterans, recognising military skills, providing additional support for reservists, offering flexible working for service families, working with partner organisations, supporting cadet groups and Armed Forces charities, and improving access to healthcare for veterans.

Anyone currently serving, or who has previously served in the Armed Forces, can find out more about the support available through Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Armed Forces Covenant pages.

Staff who are part of the Armed Forces community can also access support through the health board’s Armed Forces Staff Network by contacting [email protected].