Health Board to make decisions on Clinical Services Plan at February meeting
11 February 2026
Decisions will be made on the nine clinical services included in the Clinical Services Plan at Hywel Dda University Heath Board’s Extraordinary meeting of the Board on 18 and 19 February 2026.
The Health Board recently consulted with its communities on options for change in critical care, dermatology, emergency general surgery, endoscopy, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, stroke, radiology and urology. The options aim to address service fragilities, improve standards and reduce waiting times for people in need of diagnosis and treatment.
An independent consultation report prepared by Opinion Research Services is part of the information the Board will consider. The report summarises more than 4,000 questionnaire responses in addition to the feedback shared at public events, staff meetings and stakeholder sessions. The report will be considered alongside updated information on workforce, estate condition, new clinical standards, operational pressures and how different services interconnect across the Health Board.
The information that will be considered by Board members is now available to view online ahead of the meeting. These documents include information on consultation feedback, analysis and assessments that the Board will draw upon when deciding on the future model for the nine services.
During the consultation, communities shared an additional 190 unique alternative ideas for the services. Since the close of the consultation, these ideas have been assessed against hurdle criteria - the essential conditions an alternative idea needs to meet, before it can progress for further consideration and become an option presented to the Board.
The alternative ideas were also assessed by stakeholder groups that included staff, community representatives and members of local campaign groups. Of the 190 alternative ideas, 22 passed hurdle criteria and have been further developed into options, which will be considered alongside the options that were shared during the consultation at the Board meeting.
The Board will consider whether the options, including the 22 alternative ideas, are clinically sustainable, deliverable, accessible, aligned to the Health Board’s long-term strategy and financially sustainable. It will also assess whether further engagement, or additional information may be required, before a final decision is made. Consideration will be given to the practical steps required for implementation, including whether changes would need to be introduced in phases over time.
Dr Neil Wooding, Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “At our meeting next week, the Board will carefully consider the consultation feedback alongside the latest clinical evidence, workforce insights, updated impact assessments and the alternative options that were put forward during the consultation.
“Our responsibility is to consider the full range of evidence and ensure we make decisions that ensure that our services are sustainable for the future. No decisions have been made ahead of the Board. We are committed to a thorough and transparent process, ensuring each option and alternative options are considered in the round, and focused on improving services for the people who rely on them.”
The Extraordinary Board meeting will be held over two days on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 February 2026. The first day will be dedicated to reviewing the evidence and considering the options in detail. Decisions on the proposed options are due to be made on the second day.
This extended format provides Board members with the time needed to review the evidence, understand how services relate to each other. It will also identify if further information may be required before reaching decisions that best support communities both now and into the future.
To ensure the discussions across the two days are accessible, simultaneous interpretation in British Sign Language will be provided. Some elements of the meeting will be conducted in Welsh, with translation available. Members of the public wishing to follow the meeting online can watch the Board meeting in the way that best meets their communication needs by selecting the appropriate broadcast link.