We know that the current situation is simply not good enough for people experiencing pain and distress while waiting for much-needed treatment, and that we must take action to tackle this backlog.
In conversations with people across North Wales*, they have said that this needs to be a priority and that we need to involve our clinicians in any developments.
We believe that we can develop increased capacity for inpatient orthopaedic surgery and reduce having to cancel procedures when the hospitals get busy with unscheduled demand pressures. After talking with our clinicians and looking at what is possible, we are proposing to do this at Llandudno Hospital.
We have approved a business case that involves building two new operating theatres and the refurbishment of the Aberconwy ward in Llandudno Hospital to provide 19-beds for patients who need non-complex orthopaedic surgery, which might need a very short hospital stay.
If the proposal is agreed, these theatres would be built outside the radiology department, allowing current Llandudno theatre activity to continue.
Patients who need an orthopaedic procedure that require a short stay in hospital could then be offered surgery at Llandudno. The offer would mainly be for those who require a hip or knee replacement and who are appropriate to have their procedure at Llandudno. Patients could also choose to have their surgery at their nearest general hospital.
Anyone who was considered to have more clinically complex issues would be likely to have their surgery in one of our general hospital sites, as they do at present.
The business case is on track to be considered by Welsh Government in the Autumn. However, the proposal is still open to feedback and we are keen to hear from staff, patients, partners and the public about it. The location for developing increased capacity has been shaped by many factors including accessibility, costs, workforce and what is possible within the timescale. We are therefore seeking views on the current proposal for the Llandudno site.
If the proposal is approved by Welsh Government, we would hope to have the unit operational by late 2024.
If you have any questions or views please get in touch with us via BCU.OrthopaedicLlandudnoProposal@wales.nhs.uk