PLANS to create two new theatres, including a dedicated major trauma theatre, at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff have been approved by the Health Minister

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is seeking up to £33.54m for new hybrid and major trauma theatres and recovery areas in a specialist new-build facility at the hospital.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has approved the health board’s outline business case to develop theatre capacity, which will enable surgeons to operate on people from across South and West Wales, with some of the most complex cases, including serious injuries.

A full business case will now be submitted by the health board which will be subject to further scrutiny and if agreed, the project could be completed by December 2023.

A hybrid theatre is a surgical theatre that is also equipped with radiology equipment.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “These two specialised theatre spaces will prevent patients from having to be moved between the operating theatre and the imaging department, improving patient experience and safety and making surgery more efficient.

“This additional capacity to support regional vascular and major trauma services will release main theatre capacity at the hospital to help reduce the backlog of surgical cases, which has built up during the pandemic.”

Professor Stuart Walker, interim chief executive of Cardiff and Vale UHB, said “We welcome this additional funding which will enable us to increase our facilities as a major trauma centre so we can treat and care for the complex and emergency cases which come to us from across South and West Wales.

“As a major trauma centre, access to appropriate care and surgical interventions needs to be undertaken quickly, to give a better outcome for people. This additional facility will continue to enable our teams to care for people in a timely manner and ensure access to diagnostics in one area.”