Llanelli Hospital Transforms Minor Injury Unit into Urgent Care Centre

The Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli will transition into an Urgent Care Treatment Centre, as confirmed by the Hywel Dda University Health Board. This decision follows a comprehensive consultation process involving community feedback aimed at enhancing local healthcare services.

The new Urgent Care Centre will consolidate the existing Minor Injury Unit and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) services. It is designed to allow patients to walk in for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of urgent, non-life-threatening conditions, including minor injuries and illnesses that do not necessitate an overnight hospital stay. The centre is set to operate for 12 hours daily, from 08:00 to 20:00, seven days a week, with staff available for an additional two hours for closing duties.

This strategic move not only improves service delivery but also addresses ongoing staffing challenges. Professor Phil Kloer, Chief Executive, expressed gratitude to all participants in the consultation process, stating, “We are looking to maintain a high-quality service that is safe, sustainable, accessible and kind, that meets the needs of the people of Llanelli for the future.”

The decision was reached after a detailed examination of public and staff feedback from a 12-week consultation, which considered ten different options for the future of the minor injury services. Six of these options were generated from new ideas proposed during the consultation. The Public Board, composed of independent members and senior leaders, ensures that the Health Board’s actions remain transparent and serve the community’s best interests.

Executive Medical Director Mark Henwood remarked, “To have reached a decision on the future of the minor injury service at Prince Philip Hospital is a real milestone.” He acknowledged the contributions of the community and emphasized the importance of implementing a safe and sustainable model for urgent care.

The consultation was supported by various stakeholders, including representatives from the Save Our Services Prince Philip Action Network (SOSPPAN) and the Welsh Ambulance Service University NHS Trust, which helped promote an open and accessible dialogue. Deryk Cundy, Chair of SOSPPAN, welcomed the decision, noting, “We believe this new and enhanced service, combined with an effective 111 phone triage, will provide a service that is fit for now and the future.” He also highlighted the need for accessible mental health provisions in Llanelli.

Since November 2024, the MIU has been operating under temporary daytime hours due to concerns raised by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales regarding safety and staffing pressures during overnight hours. The findings indicated that reinstating the previous 24-hour model was neither safe nor sustainable.

The new Urgent Care Treatment Centre aims to provide a broader scope of services and alleviate pressure on other healthcare facilities. Implementation is expected to take between six and twelve months as the Health Board recruits additional staff and addresses necessary infrastructure changes. An evaluation of the new service will occur six months post-implementation, focusing on patient experience, medical outcomes, transportation, and staffing.

It is important to clarify that the Urgent Care Treatment Centre will not function as an Emergency Department (A&E), which will continue to be available at Glangwili or Morriston Hospitals. For urgent mental health care, patients are advised to call NHS 111 Wales and select option 2, or dial 999 in case of a life-threatening emergency.

In the meantime, the MIU at Prince Philip Hospital remains operational from 08:00 to 20:00 daily. Residents and visitors in Llanelli seeking treatment for minor injuries during these hours may continue to walk into the MIU for care.