Glangwili’s refurbished Same Day Emergency Care Unit set to reopen

The SDEC (Same Day Emergency Care) unit at Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen will reopen to patients and staff on Monday, 30 March.

Major refurbishment work has taken place at the site thanks to more than £2m of funding from Welsh Government.

The money was spent to provide 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.

Project director Keith Jones, Hywel Dda’s Director of Operational Planning and Performance said: “We are very grateful to Welsh Government for the £2.096 million 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) will now be moving 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 Cancer Information and Support Service (CISS) and Cancer Psychological Support Service (CaPS) will also return to the SDEC building.

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: “I would like to thank staff and everyone visiting our site for their patience and understanding during the improvement works.

“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.”

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles said:

“Our £2m investment is delivering real improvements for patients and staff at Glangwili Hospital, providing a better environment and a smoother, swifter experience for those who need urgent care. This is part of our ongoing commitment to improving hospital sites in Wales, ensuring people get the right care, in the right place, as quickly as possible.”