RCS responds to decision on thoracic surgery in South Wales
01 Feb 2018
This week, the Joint Committee of the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) - which is made up of the chief executives of all Health Boards - accepted the recommendations of an Independent Panel that services should be provided from a single site rather the current two sites in Cardiff and Swansea, and that the new single unit should be based in Morriston Hospital, Swansea.
Responding to the decision, a spokesperson for the Royal College of Surgeons, said:
"The Royal College of Surgeons welcomes the decision of the Joint Committee of Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) for thoracic surgery services to be centralised in Morriston Hospital, Swansea.
"In 2016, WHSSC requested the Royal College of Surgeons to conduct an independent invited service review into the provision of thoracic surgery services in South Wales. The final report was delivered to WHSSC in January 2017 and recommended that thoracic surgery services in South Wales be concentrated on one site, rather than the current two.
"This decision offers an opportunity to improve the quality of care for thoracic patients in South Wales and we look forward to supporting WHSSC and Local Health Boards to implement this change."
Background
• In 2016, Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) requested the Royal College of Surgeons conduct an independent invited service review into the provision of thoracic surgery services in South Wales. The final report was delivered to WHSSC in January 2017 and recommended that thoracic surgery services in South Wales be concentrated on one site, rather than the current two.
• In October 2017, WHSSC commenced a process of public consultation looking at the future shape of thoracic surgery services in South Wales. This included whether both Morriston Hospital, Swansea and the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff should continue to provide two separate thoracic surgical services, or whether one of those hospitals should provide a larger, combined service for the whole of South Wales. This consultation closed on 29 November and included engagement with staff, public, patients and Community Health Councils.
• Following this public consultation exercise, WHSSC’s Thoracic Surgery Project Board recommended that thoracic surgery services in South Wales be provided on one site. An independent panel was then formed to recommend the preferred location of the single centre.
• On 30 January 2018, the Joint Committee of Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) announced that thoracic surgery services would be centralised in Morriston Hospital, Swansea. The Royal College of Surgeons’ report formed part of the evidence in making this decision.
Notes to editors
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a professional membership organisation and registered charity, which exists to advance surgical standards and improve patient care.
For more information, please contact the Press Office:
- Telephone: 020 7869 6047/6052
- Email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk
- Out of hours media enquiries: 07966 486832
Notes to editors
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a professional membership organisation and registered charity, which exists to advance surgical standards and improve patient care.
For more information, please contact the Press Office:
- Telephone: 020 7869 6047/6052
- Email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk
- Out of hours media enquiries: 07966 486832