Community representatives see progress on Prince Philip Hospital's new Urgent Care Centre

Staff and stakeholders stand in front of the MIU talking

27 October 2026

Representatives from community groups, partner organisations and local stakeholders have been updated on progress towards the new Urgent Care Centre at Prince Philip Hospital.

The visit marks another milestone in a journey that has seen local people, staff, community groups, elected representatives and partner organisations play an important role in discussions about the future of healthcare services in Llanelli.

Staff and stakeholders stand in front of the MIU talking

(L to R) Anna Thomas (Prince Philip Assistant General Manager), Jonathan Rose (SOSPPAN), Cllr. Deryk Cundy (Chair, SOSPPAN), Cllr. Michael Thomas (Llais), Claire Thomas (Advanced Care Practitioner), Wendy Edwards (Junior Sister MIU), Jon Morris (Clinical Lead MIU)

Representatives of SOSPPAN, and LLais discuss plans with staff for the new Urgent Care Centre and review draft public information materials during a visit to Prince Philip Hospital. The visit took place ahead of the planned opening of the new Urgent Care Centre in Llanelli at the end of November.


Following a public consultation in 2025, Hywel Dda University Health Board approved plans to develop the hospital's Minor Injury Unit (MIU) into a new Urgent Care Centre. The decision followed extensive consultation and engagement with local communities and consideration of a range of options for the future of urgent care services.

The new service, which is due to start at the end of November, will bring together the hospital's existing MIU and Same Day Emergency Care services. It will provide assessment and treatment for a wider range of urgent but non-life-threatening conditions closer to home.

During the visit, stakeholders heard about progress on staff recruitment, service planning, and preparations for the new model of care. They also discussed the plans for a public information campaign to help people in and around Llanelli understand the new service and when to use it.

A range of leaflets, website content and resources are being developed. These will explain what the Urgent Care Centre does, the care it provides and how to access other healthcare services when needed.

The Health Board is continuing its engagement with communities and organisations during the implementation phase. This engagement will help ensure people can access information about the new service in appropriate and accessible formats.

Deryk Cundy, Chair of Save Our Services Prince Philip Action Network (SOSPPAN), said: "We’ve been campaigning for better local urgent care services, fit for the 21st Century, in Llanelli for over 15 years and we have been an integral part of this process, from consultation through to implementation. The Urgent Care Service represents a significant investment in the area, and we are delighted that Hywel Dda have chosen to put this into Prince Philip Hospital."

Mark Henwood, Executive Medical Director said: "People in Llanelli care deeply about healthcare services at Prince Philip Hospital, and we recognise there have been strong views about the future of urgent care services over recent years.

"We are grateful to everyone who took part in the consultation, attended meetings, shared feedback or worked with us to help shape this model. That includes individuals and organisations who attended meetings, asked questions, and helped ensure people’s voices were heard.

"The Urgent Care Centre reflects what we have heard from our communities about the need for a safe, sustainable service that meets local needs while providing access to a wider range of urgent care closer to where people live.”

Significant work has been undertaken over the past year to prepare for the introduction of the Urgent Care Centre. This has included recruiting staff, developing new ways of working and ensuring the service is ready to offer patients access to a range of urgent care services closer to home. The move will bring services together, helping to create a more resilient model for the future while strengthening urgent care provision at Prince Philip Hospital.

In the meantime, Prince Philip Hospital's MIU continues to provide care for patients seven days a week between 8am and 8pm. Local people should continue to access the MIU as normal while preparations for the Urgent Care Centre continue.

If you live in or are visiting Llanelli and have a minor injury during the day (8am–8pm), you can continue to walk into the MIU at Prince Philip Hospital.

For injuries outside these hours, please use:

More information about the Urgent Care Centre will be shared ahead of its opening at the end of next month.