WALES’ only specialist eye-care hospital, Sana Private Health, has expanded its senior team to welcome Francesca Oak as a new Business Relationships Manager.

Aiming to increase Sana’s optometry network across Wales, Francesca’s appointment represents the Cataract Centres of Excellence’s approach to enhanced patient care, particularly for those with complex eye health conditions. 

The new role has been created as demand for specialist eye care continues to grow across Wales, with increasing numbers of patients seeking treatment for age-related eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

The appointment will see Francesca, who holds extensive experience in optometry practice, provide expert consultation for optometrists. Advising on bespoke treatment options available for patients, Francesca will also take feedback from optometrists to shape Sana’s future planning based on patient needs. 

It is the first time the hospital has brought in a specialist in relationship management, demonstrating Sana’s commitment to improving patient pathways to care. Coupled with the recent investment in renovating its Bridgend hospital, the new role highlights Sana’s continued growth. 

Speaking of her appointment, Francesca Oak said: “I’m delighted to join the team at Sana Private Health at this exciting time for the hospital. We are seeing real growth and investment in cutting-edge technologies which will enhance patient care, and I’m looking forward to working with optometrists across Wales to shape our approach to care.”

With hospitals in Swansea and Bridgend, Sana Private Health was established in March 2023 by world-leading ophthalmologists Mr Luke Anderson and Mr Mario Saldanha. 

The private healthcare centre offers treatment for glaucoma, retinal disorders, macular degeneration, cornea conditions, refractive lens exchange, laser vision correction, and is a leading specialist centre for cataract removal. 

Mr Luke Anderson, Founding Director and Ophthalmic Surgeon at Sana Private Health, said: “Bringing Fran into the team represents our commitment to excellence, strengthening our relationships with optometrists across the country. 

“Patients need to feel confident that, when they speak to their optometrists, they’ll be able to access the right treatment in outstanding facilities. By bringing Francesca on-board, we’re improving our outreach to optometry practices and ensuring patients have an efficient, practical and tailored referrals process, so they can be seen by a specialist quicker and get back to the life they love.” 

To find out more, visit https://www.sana-health.co.uk/

HYWEL DDA University Health Board is urging people to take part in its consultation on the future of stroke services, as the process reaches the halfway point.

The second phase of the eight-week consultation began on May 28 and will remain open until July 26.

The health board is seeking views from patients, carers, staff, local communities and stakeholders on its preferred option for stroke services across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

Under the preferred option, a 24-hour acute stroke and rehabilitation unit would be based at Glangwili Hospital, with a stroke rehabilitation unit at Bronglais Hospital. Treat-and-transfer services would continue at Bronglais, Prince Philip and Withybush hospitals.

Stroke services are currently provided at all four main Hywel Dda hospitals, namely Bronglais, Glangwili, Prince Philip and Withybush. However, the health board says services do not consistently meet national clinical standards and that specialist stroke cover is not available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

More than 1,700 people have already taken part in the second phase of consultation, either through public events or by completing the questionnaire.

Mark Henwood, Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Executive Medical Director, said: “We know how important stroke services are to members of our communities and to our staff.

“Providing timely, high-quality specialist care for people who experience a stroke is critical. Stroke care has advanced significantly, and evidence shows that patients have better outcomes in specialist units with access to expert teams and equipment around the clock.

“We are listening carefully to what people are telling us, and this feedback is important in helping us understand what matters most to our communities. Thank you to everyone who has already attended our engagement events, both in person and online. We look forward to speaking to more people before the consultation ends on July 26.”

Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning, said the health board had been meeting staff and communities across the three counties, as well as representatives from neighbouring health board areas.

He said people had raised questions about where they would go for diagnosis and treatment, how transfers between hospitals would work, and why stroke services could not continue as they are across all four hospital sites.

Mr Davies said: “It’s important to reassure people that, now and in the future, if you think someone is having a stroke, you should seek immediate help by calling 999.

“As happens today, and with any future option, they will be taken to the nearest appropriate hospital for assessment and initial treatment. If specialist treatment such as a thrombectomy is needed, patients would continue to be transferred to specialist centres in Bristol or Cardiff.

“Throughout this process we are working with the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, and other providers such as the Adult Critical Care Transfer Service and national commissioners.

“Once an option for the future of stroke services is chosen, detailed modelling will take place to understand what dedicated transport arrangements will be needed, so this would not impact on emergency ambulance availability.

“We need to make changes to ensure we meet national standards and can provide safe, sustainable, accessible and kind services. We need to give people the best possible chance of recovery after the devastating effects of a stroke.”

The remaining public drop-in events are:

• Tuesday, June 30, 2pm to 7pm, Y Plas, Machynlleth, SY20 8ER
• Monday, July 6, 2pm to 7pm, Canolfan Creuddyn, Lampeter, SA48 7BN
• Wednesday, July 8, 2pm to 7pm, Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6DD
• Tuesday, July 14, 2pm to 7pm, Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen, SA31 1LG
• An online session will also be held on Tuesday, July 7, at 6:30pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend to find out more, ask questions and share their views.

The health board says all feedback received during this phase of consultation, along with views gathered in 2025 and the latest evidence, will be considered before a final decision is made later this year.

Further information, including the questionnaire, is available on the Hywel Dda stroke consultation website.

People can also contact the engagement team by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0300 303 8322, option 5.

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has stood down the critical incident declared on 26 June following three days of sustained pressure linked to the extreme heat.

The service said demand has now begun to reduce, although it remains under significant pressure.

Members of the public are still being urged to call 999 only in serious or life-threatening emergencies.

For less urgent health concerns, people are being asked to use NHS 111 Wales or the online Albot service for advice and support.

The Trust thanked staff, volunteers, partner organisations and the public for their patience, professionalism and support during what it described as an exceptionally challenging period.