Refurbished Same Day Emergency Care unit reopens
2 April 2026
Hywel Dda University Health Board’s SDEC (Same Day Emergency Care) unit at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen has reopened to patients and staff this week.
On Monday (30 March) Hywel Dda’s Chief Executive Dr Phil Kloer visited the refurbished building for a tour of the facilities and to meet staff and patients.
The major refurbishment work was possible thanks to £2m of Welsh Government funding that has been spent on providing more consultation rooms, an improved reception area, and a more pleasant environment for patients and staff.
It is expected that the new, improved SDEC will reduce pressures on the Emergency Department at Glangwili and is part of on-going efforts to improve patient experience across acute hospital sites and the Minor Injury Unit at Prince Philip Hospital.
Dr Kloer said: “Thank you to everyone who has worked on this project. One of our biggest challenges as a health board is the unscheduled care system and how services in the community and hospitals connect, and SDEC plays a key role in that.”
“I am delighted that we are opening the refurbished SDEC building. I’m really impressed with all the work that has been done but really, it’s the people and the team that are most important.”
Dr Kloer also paid tribute to Dr Geroge Eltom who was pivotal in establishing the SDEC at Glangwili but sadly passed away some two years ago.
He is remembered at SDEC with a theme of maple leaf artwork running through the unit’s walls and windows to reflect his dream of moving to Canada with his family. One of the consultation rooms has been decorated with a blue butterfly to mark Dr Eltom’s love of Chelsea football team.
“The fact that George’s memory has been embedded in the work is extremely important to everyone working here,” said Dr Kloer. “I know that will mean a lot to all of us who knew him so well because he worked here for a long time - he was the heart and soul of it for so many years.”
One of the first patients to be treated at the refurbished SDEC was Anita Harmes from Peniel, Carmarthen. She said: “It’s my first time to visit the refurbished SDEC building and it’s absolutely fabulous. Hospital can be a scary place but this isn’t scary at all - how could you not be happy in here?”
Project director Keith Jones, Hywel Dda’s Director of Operational Planning and Performance said: “We are very grateful to Welsh Government for the £2.096million funding that has enabled us to increase the capacity of the SDEC at Glangwili.
“We anticipate that the refurbishments at SDEC will now help to reduce capacity pressures on the Emergency Department and enable our staff to provide a much smoother and swifter experience for patients in our care.”
Services that were moved to Y Lolfa (formerly Padarn Ward) have now moved back to the SDEC building. These include the Discharge Lounge, Medical Day Unit (at the Priory Day Hospital) and the Primary Care Out of Hours Service.
The access routes for services that remained at the Priory Day Hospital during the refurbishment work - podiatry, neuro-rehabilitation, and occupational therapy - will now return to normal.
Patients and visitors can follow the permanent signage, or are welcome ask a member of staff if they need help locating their appointment clinic.
Keith Jones added: “Patients will be informed of changes and the return of services to SDEC in their appointment letters. We would still ask patients attending any of the clinics affected to double-check their appointment letters for information about the location of their treatment. If unsure, patients can also call the department on the number in their appointment letter.”
ENDS