Expert group to drive plans for new surgery hubs across Wales

The Welsh Government has launched a new clinically led expert group to develop plans for up to 10 elective care hubs across Wales, which hopes to reduce NHS waiting times and improve access to planned treatment

The group has been asked to produce a detailed delivery plan by the end of 2026, with the new elective care hubs expected to be introduced over the course of the current Senedd term.

The initiative forms part of the Welsh Government’s First 100 Days Plan and is designed to tackle long waiting lists by expanding surgical and diagnostic services while protecting planned operations from disruption caused by emergency care pressures.

A new approach to planned care

Elective care hubs are dedicated centers that perform scheduled operations, tests, and diagnostic procedures. By separating planned care from emergency services, the hubs aim to reduce cancellations and improve the efficiency of NHS services.

The Welsh Government believes this approach will help patients receive treatment more quickly while better utilising available healthcare resources.

An investment of £145 million has already been announced to support improvements in planned care capacity across Wales, with the proposed hubs expected to play a big role in delivering those ambitions.

Experienced clinical team leading the work

The Elective Care Expert Group brings together senior NHS professionals from a range of clinical and operational backgrounds to shape the future network of hubs.

The independent chair is recently retired consultant orthopaedic surgeon Rhidian Morgan-Jones, who has worked in both Wales and England and currently serves as a trustee of the British Orthopaedic Association.

The group also includes Professor Jon Barry, Director for Wales of the Royal College of Surgeons, who will provide insight from successful elective care models across the UK.

Other members include Dr Claire R Dunstan, National Clinical Lead for Aesthetics, Sophie O’Donovan, Lead Nurse for Aesthetics, Critical Care and Theatres, and Corrina Casey, Director of Performance and Delivery for NHS Wales Performance and Improvement.

Learning from existing successes

As part of its work, the expert panel will examine the performance of existing elective care hubs already operating in Wales, alongside examples of best practice from elsewhere in the UK and internationally.

The group will consider how many hubs are required, where they should be located, and how they can best increase surgical and diagnostic capacity while improving patient outcomes.

Its recommendations will be presented to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care before the end of the year.

Focus on cutting waiting lists

The creation of dedicated elective care hubs is intended to build a more resilient NHS by ensuring planned procedures are less vulnerable to disruption during periods of high emergency demand.

By increasing capacity for routine surgery and diagnostics, the Welsh Government hopes the new network of hubs will make a significant contribution to reducing waiting lists and improving the overall patient experience across Wales.

If approved and implemented as planned, the hubs will become a key part of the Welsh NHS strategy to modernise planned care services and deliver faster treatment for thousands of patients in the years ahead.