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Restarting our Services during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Visiting Guidelines

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to our NHS services. We have continued to provide care as normal to patients who need urgent treatments (through A&E, Cancer services etc) although many routine appointments and treatments have been postponed.

As we see fewer Covid-19 cases in our hospitals, we will restart many of the routine services that have been put on hold. If you are required to attend one of our Hospital Sites or Community Clinics, you will find that the way they are run has now been altered slightly to accommodate Social Distancing Regulations.

Please click on a service below to check for the latest updated information.

If you have a specific question relating to your personal circumstances, please call the number on your appointment letter. To enquire about or change an appointment date, please call our Booking Centre on 01495 765055.

Please note- if you are having Elective Surgery at one of our Hospitals, you will be given a Covid-19 test and then asked to self-isolate before your admission into Hospital.

Anyone who is referred into a service from their GP will receive an appointment letter as usual.

Current status - 30th May 2022

Whilst some adult mental health services have changed the way they deliver care, all services have remained open throughout the pandemic.  All of our inpatient wards are open to admissions. Visiting is allowed subject to Infection Control processes and current Health Board guidance at the time.

There is general rule of no visitors being allowed onto wards at present unless there are exceptional circumstances.

The Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Teams based in St Cadoc’s Hospital, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr and County Hospital remain open. Patient assessments are carried out face to face and ongoing treatment is delivered either face to face or via telephone, or virtual appointment, dependent on the needs of the patient.

The Out of Hours crisis service remains open with patients being assessed within Kemeys at St Cadocs Hospital.

The Community Mental Health Teams based within each borough remain open and are accepting referrals, with assessments being carried out face to face where possible, or via telephone or virtual appointment. Existing patients are continually reviewed and offered either face to face, telephone or virtual appointments, dependent on the needs of the patient.

All specialist services remain open. Many appointments are delivered via telephone or virtually. Patients are continually reviewed and if required will be seen face to face.

Current status - 30th May 2022

We are continuing to offer online or telephone appointments for Pre-Assessment Clinic and Obstetric Pre-Assessment Clinic patients but hope to be able to offer face-to-face appointments shortly.   Anaesthetic Notes Reviews are also being undertaken online.

Pain Services Outpatient appointments for new and follow up patients will continue to be conducted over the telephone and online and face-to-face consultations have restarted based on clinical priority.

 

Future Plans

The Pain Service has recommenced some of its injection lists in Nevill Hall and County Hospitals. Unfortunately the service is unable to offer appointments for acupuncture at the current time.

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

The Audiology Service has been redesigned following patient & staff feedback during the pandemic. 

We have increased the number of clinical staff available on phone lines to advise and support you. We have also included options of text message and email contact so you can choose the best option for you! 

Following a consultation with one of our clinicians you can now be triaged to booked appointments at certain hospital and community sites for a face to face consultation. 

We are offering remote consultations, where suitable, so we can support you from the comfort of your own home. 

We recognise it is no longer suitable or safe for you to enter busy, overcrowded drop-in repair clinics and have moved to booked appointments so you are seen on time, without the overcrowded waiting rooms and the long wait times you may have previously experienced. The pandemic has shown us many patients who contact us can have the issues dealt with without coming in to the hospital e.g., video remote consultation, troubleshooting issues with advice from an audiologist as well as postal replacement hearing aids and accessories.   

You can contact us using the options below: 

Phone: 0300 303 5651
Phones are manned Mon-Fri 9am- 4pm 
Text only:     07814 610 009 
Email: gwentrghaud.ABB@wales.nhs.uk 

If you use mobile text or email to contact the department, please include your full name & date of birth in the message and when emailing please confirm that you consent for transfer of personal information via email. 

If you want Replacement batteries or tubing 

Contact your local audiology service by telephone, text, email or via online form: https://abuhb.nhs.wales/hospitals/a-z-hospital-services/audiology/ to request postal batteries/tubes Please be aware that these can take up to 10 days to arrive. 

Current status - 30th May 2022

Outpatient clinics are being re-started at Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan and Chepstow Hospital sites.

 
Future Plans

Plans are progressing to reintegrate staff that are currently supporting District Nursing Teams to return to the Bladder and Bowel Nursing Service, so the service can be delivered at full capacity once again.

 

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

All urgent elective inpatient services have relocated to The Grange University Hospital.

Outpatients

The following Cardiology Outpatient Services are taking place as indicated below:

- Consultant Clinics - Telephone and Attend Anywhere (video calling system) clinics continue to take place. Face to face clinics are being held in Royal Gwent Hospital, Nevill Hall Hospital, Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan and County Hospital;

- Heart Failure Clinics - Telephone clinics and Attend Anywhere (video calling system) clinics continue to take place. Face to face clinics are being held in  Chepstow Hospital, County Hospital and the Royal Gwent Hospital;

- Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinics - Telephone clinics and Attend Anywhere clinics continue to take place and patients will also be issued with guidance manuals for remote sessions where appropriate.  Some individual exercise assessments have also been started where appropriate.

The following Cardiology Diagnostic Services are taking place at the sites indicated below:

  • Urgent and Routine Echocardiogram appointments - Royal Gwent Hospital, County Hospital, Chepstow Hospital, Nevill Hall Hospital, Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.
  • Urgent face-to-face Pacing clinics- County Hospital, Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan, Nevill Hall Hospital and Royal Gwent Hospital. Pacing clinics continue to take place as telephone clinics also.
  • Urgent Transoeophageal Echocardiogram (TOEs), Dobutatamine Stress Echocardiogram (DSE's) and Physical Stress Echocardiography (PSEs) - The Grange University Hospital
  • Exercise Tolerance Tests (ETTs)- Cardiology Unit, Royal Gwent Hospital
  • TILT (Tilt Table Tests)- Cardiology Unit, Royal Gwent Hospital.
  • Elective Diagnostic Angiograms - The Grange University Hospital
  • Elective Pacemakers - The Grange University Hospital
  • Ambulatory Monitoring Clinics - Royal Gwent Hospital, County Hospital, Nevill Hall Hospital and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr
  • Implantable loop recorder (ILR) - Commenced at County Hospital. Follow up appointments available for urgent patients experiencing symptoms.

 

Future Plans

Plans are being worked through for Cardiac Rehabilitation individual face to face assessments.

Current status - 30th May 2022

Face to face clinics are restarting in the next week in the Day Hospital Nevill Hall for the most clinically urgent patients.

The Care Of The Elderly service continues to review and treat patients with the most clinical need.

The service is conducting face to face appointments for clinically urgent patients at both Royal Gwent Hospital and Nevill Hall Hospital. Virtual and Telephone clinic sessions have also been restarted at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

Service is undertaking WLI clinics on Saturdays starting this week to help with some of the backlog of initial appointments.

 

Status at 21st June 2021

Additional hours via a Waiting List Initiative will support this recovery method with appointments for children and young people currently on the ND waiting list. The timescale of this recovery plan is scheduled from June until August 2021.

Additional Easting Disorder clinics are being arranged to start mid June and run for 6 – 8 weeks to provide brief intervention to those identified as being most suitable. These will run on Saturdays and provide joint dietetic and therapy sessions with the aim of increasing the confidence of the families in managing the changed eating behaviours.
 

Status at 14th June 2021

CAMHS continues to offer a service to children and young people. We are fortunate to be able to continue to meet with our young people and families face to face, however, this must be governed by clinical need with the use of remote platforms of communication, assessment and intervention being fully utilised where appropriate.

Single Point of Access for Neuro-developmental (ND) Referrals

A single point of access mailbox for ND referrals has been developed aligning ND with SPACE Wellbeing processes. From 1st April 2021 professionals are required to email ND Referrals to:
ABB.SPACEWellbeingND@wales.nhs.uk 

 Referrals will be triaged and ensure seamless forwarding to SPACE / (Early Help) Wellbeing, ISCAN Community Embedded team and ND assessment as appropriate. This system should provide less confusion as to which service to refer to or the need to make multiple referrals for children with co morbid presentations and professionals will have better access and communication with partner agencies to work jointly to support families.

 

Whilst a proportion of our appointments occur as either an Attend Anywhere virtual appointment or a telephone consultation, we have continued to offer a large number of face to face appointments in those cases where there is clinical need.

Clinicians have continued to undertake a number of telephone appointments offering a range of options to patients for clinical work. Our operating procedure is in place with rooms set up to support social distancing for staff and families and we are continuing to use PPE.

CAMHS are continuing to offer a range of remote and face to face appointments , and those young people and families in greatest need will continue to receive a good service. This will continue throughout the lockdown . We are of course adhering to all of the guidance regarding COVID-19, in order to keep families, young people and staff as safe as possible throughout this period and beyond.

We are still receiving higher than normal numbers of referrals for young people experiencing difficulties, and are looking at trends and data in order to continue to ensure that we are meeting the needs of young people. We continue to offer appointments and intervention using a range of approaches and platforms, including face to face when clinically indicated. Our young people and families are given choices regarding how they can access help - this can be via telephone , virtual platforms or face to face meetings. We would like to reassure families and young people who are struggling that we are here for them, and that all our interventions are carried out according to COVID guidelines.

Virtual group work has started and we are actively looking at increasing access to this safely in order to increase the therapeutic choices for young people. For example, alongside DBT groups, we are organising Family Therapy Clinics remotely and carrying out other systemic, family orientated group work.

Future Plans

With the recent COVID-19 localised lockdowns and following an increase in the number of referrals coming into the service, we have begun to re-visit discussions and planning on the provision of virtual therapeutic group work.

 

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

Community Pharmacies continue to provide prescription dispensing services for all patients across Gwent. However, because of the need for social distancing, access to pharmacies may be limited. Please allow plenty of time when requesting repeat prescriptions, ideally ordering 7 days before you need your next supply.  My Health Online offers a convenient way to order repeat prescriptions and book appointments with your GP online. Please see more details.

If you are taking regular medication, repeat “batch” dispensing may be suitable for you and provide prescriptions for up to a year’s medication at a time. Please see more details.

Both My Health Online and batch prescribing can help cut down the visits you need to make to your GP and pharmacy and help with social distancing.

The following non-prescription services continue to be available from pharmacy, with consultation being provided in person, over the telephone or video call.

Common Ailments – Providing NHS funded treatment for 28 common conditions without the need to see your GP

Smoking Cessation – A 12 week, one to one programme of support and nicotine replacement therapy to help you quit

Emergency Contraception – Confidential provision of emergency contraception without the need to see your GP

Emergency Supply – Provides an emergency supply of most previously prescribed medication if you run out and your GP isn’t available.

Lateral Flow Test– Provides free rapid lateral flow COVID-19 test kits (LFTs) for people eligible for asymptomatic testing to collect and test themselves at home. Please note, rapid lateral flow tests are only for people who do not have coronavirus symptoms. Please do not go to your community pharmacy for lateral flow test kits if you have symptoms.

 

Please see the 111 Wales website for more details or contact your local pharmacy.

Current status - 30th May 2022

NHS dental practices have not been able to provide dental care to the same number of patients due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is due to infection control measures, reduced numbers allowed in waiting rooms because of social distancing and the checks that need to take place before a patient enters the practice. Wales is in the amber phase of the recovery process which means people who have an urgent dental problem and those who are vulnerable , or have a severe medical condition are prioritised first for dental care. Next are patients who had their dental treatment stopped and finally people who need a routine dental check up. 

The Covid-19 virus transmission is still high in the community and therefore patients are reminded that they should continue to wear a face covering when attending a dental appointment.

For more information please download the NHS General Dental Services document.

Current status - 30th May 2022

We have now re-instated Urgent Patch Testing and a telederm session to appoint our routine lesions.

Urgent skin lesion patients are being seen in one stop lesion clinics or via the telederm service.  Services are currently only in place at Newport Hospitals.  Patients attending one stop lesion clinics may be offered treatment on the day if appropriate.  Patients being seen via the telederm service will attend the Clinical Photography department for images of the lesion to be taken.  They will then receive a report from a Consultant Dermatologist and information about any further treatment that may be necessary.

Some telephone clinics and face to face clinic appointments are in place for urgent lesion follow up patients.

Minor procedures using Local Anaesthetic are being undertaken at St Woolos Hospital. 

Urgent general dermatology (e.g. skin rashes) services for both adults and children are being provided via telephone consultations.  Where this is not appropriate urgent patients are being seen face to face in outpatient clinics.  Telephone consultations are also in place for follow up patients and those on the routine waiting list.

The Phototherapy Service restarted as planned in St Woolos Hospital and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.

The Patch Testing Service restarted as planned in St Woolos Hospital.

For urgent patients a Phototherapy Service at St Woolos Hospital was reinstated on 3rd August; telederm appointments at Nevill Hall Hospital were reinstated on 10th August.

General dermatology clinics are being held at St Woolos Hospital

Teledermatology sessions for routine lesion patients have commenced as planned.

One stop lesion clinics recommenced as planned in Nevil Hall Hospital.

The Thursday am clinic has recommenced as planned in Nevill Hall Hospital.

Paediatric Dermatology will return to the Maple Centre.

 

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

A selection of face-to-face clinics for clinically urgent Diabetes and Endocrine patients have commenced in Nevill Hall Hospital, Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan and Royal Gwent Hospital .

A number of Diabetes and Endocrine Consultant clinics will continue operating via telephone consultations across all sites.

Most of the Diabetes Specialist Nurse clinics will continue to operate via telephone or video consultations. Face to face consultations will be offered to clinically urgent patients.

Future Plans

We are currently working through our plans to evaluate how our Diabetes Education group training can be conducted in an online setting.

Current status - 30th May 2022

Dietetic outpatient services and community clinics are running. We are able to offer telephone or video appointments and groups. In addition, some clinics are running face to face and this will gradually increase as able to. Please discuss with our booking centre at the time of booking and check your clinic letter for details.

Booking Centre:

Adult Dietetics - 01633 431644

Paediatric Dietetics - 01633 431642

 

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

The Grange University Hospital is open and our Emergency Department is now based here. If you have a life threatening injury or serious illness you can call 999 or attend the Emergency Department for treatment.

The following services will be available at the Grange University Hospital:

- Emergency admissions for major illnesses or injuries and those in need of resuscitation;

- Emergency surgery and trauma care;

- Major and co-morbidity (more than one serious condition) surgery;

- Emergency Assessment Unit;

- Critical Care;

- Acute Cardiac Unit;

- Cardiology Inpatients;

- Hyper Acute Stroke Unit;

- Acute Medicine;

- Obstetric inpatients and high risk births;

- Childrens Assessment Unit;

- Neonatal Intensive Care and Special Care Baby Unit;

- Paediatric inpatients and Paediatric inpatient surgery;

- Diagnostics;

- Emergency endoscopy.

For a minor injury, our Minor Injury Units are ready to welcome you at Nevill Hall Hospital (24/7), the Royal Gwent Hospital (24/7), Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr (24/7) and Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan (Monday to Friday 9am-7pm). Adults and children over one year old with a wide range of injuries can be treated at our Minor Injury Units. These units are run by an experienced team of highly skilled, specially trained Emergency Nurse Practitioners, Triage Nurses and Healthcare Support Workers. You can visit one of our units for:

- Limb injuries which includes broken bones, fractures and dislocations to fingers and toes;

- Wounds, grazes and minor burns;

- Head injuries (providing there is no loss of consciousness or the patient is taking blood thinning medications);

- Face injuries (providing there is no loss of consciousness);

- Minor back and neck injuries (providing the patient is mobile, there is no pins and needles in arms or legs and has not fallen from a height greater than five stairs or 1metre);

- Eye, ear and nose injuries and foreign bodies;

- Rib injuries;

- Insect , animal or human bites.

The following services can be provided at our Minor Injury Units:

- Access to x-rays for injuries;

- Wound closure including stitching and gluing;

- Application of dressings;

- Application of plaster casts, splints, strappings and slings;

- Reduction of minor joint dislocations;

- Removal of foreign bodies;

- Eye washouts;

- Administration of medication to treat the injury.

Current status - 30th May 2022

In order to ensure we have sufficient capacity and resources to safely care for our patients we have centralised our emergency surgery and trauma services at the Grange University Hospital.

This means if you need to attend an Emergency Department by ambulance with abdominal pain, major broken bones or anything that may require emergency surgery, you will be safely directed to the Grange University Hospital.

Our Minor Injury Units at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan, Nevill Hall and Royal Gwent hospitals are functioning as normal and generally the waiting times there are much shorter. Our team of Emergency Nurse Practitioners are waiting to treat you.

We would encourage you to attend your Minor Injury Unit for any minor injuries such as:

  • Suspected broken small bones, fractures, dislocations
  • Wounds, grazes and minor burns
  • Head and face injuries provided there has been no loss of consciousness and not taking blood thinning drugs
  • Minor neck and back injuries provided the patient is mobile, has no pins and needles in the arms or legs and has not fallen from a height greater than 5 stairs or 1 metre
  • Eye, ear and nose injuries and foreign bodies
  • Rib injuries
  • Insect, animal and human bites

For minor ailments such as colds, earache, rashes, temperatures please use the symptom checker on the NHS 111 website to Choose Well how best way to access the most suitable healthcare for you. If you are unsure and need advice then phone 111 who will direct you to the most appropriate place for you to attend.

 

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

We are offering some weekly face-to-face Hepatology Outpatient appointments and Fibroscan clinics for Urgent patients at County Hospital, and routine/ non-urgent clinics are being conducted via telephone. We will be restarting face to face clinics at The Royal Gwent Hospital at a reduced capacity to comply with social distancing guidance for Dr V Goel, Dr N Balaratnam, Dr A Somasekar and Dr A Yeoman as below;

Dr Goel

Wednesday clinic

Friday Alt clinic 

Dr Somasekar

Tuesday clinic 

Dr Yeoman

Thursday clinic 

Dr Balaratnam

Thursday clinic 

We have restarted a clinic on a Friday afternoon for our IBD patients at Nevill Hall Hospital.

All other standard outpatient appointments are being undertaken either virtually or by telephone, at a reduced capacity.

Fibroscan clinics, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), Capsule Endoscopy appointments and Diagnostic Endoscopy services at the Royal Gwent, Nevill Hall and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr Hospitals are all running daily, but at a reduced capacity. Bowel Screening Wales services have restarted, with reduced activity at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr Hospital.

An Endoscopy service currently takes place at St Joseph's Hospital. We are also providing some outpatient activity at St Josephs Hospital.

The Gastroenterology and Medical Ambulatory Care Unit has now returned to C4 West at the Royal Gwent Hospital. There is now a larger area to allow for patient safety and for future expansion of the service. The Unit continues to provide nurse led care and follow ups, IBD infusions, blood transfusions and assessment and management of ascites as well as many more interventions helping keep patients well and out of hospital. Any queries please email GAU.abb@wales.nhs.uk   

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is being utilised where necessary.

 

Future Plans

We are reviewing our plans to reinstate our Blood Borne Virus (BBV) service for treatment of Hepatitis, as well as the booking of urgent and routine, repeat and surveillance Endoscopy appointments.

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

Urgent Suspected Breast Cancer Surgery has continued throughout the Pandemic, with an additional all day Tuesday list commencing at St Josephs Hospital.

We are currently offering reduced clinics for all face-to-face diagnosed Colorectal Cancers. Urgent Paediatric Surgery has now been started once again, and Endocrine Surgery has been re-instated at the Royal Gwent and Nevill Hall Hospitals, with follow up appointments happening over the telephone.

Some Oupatient appointments have restarted for Upper Gastrointestinal at Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan. Consultations have been taking place over the telephone, unless physical examinations are required. Telephone Consultations are also taking place for all Urgent Suspected Cancer, and urgent and routine colorectal referrals (including Hernias, Bleeding Haemorrhoids). In addition to telephone consultations, urgent Upper Gastrointestinal and urgent colorectal face-to-face outpatient appointments have commenced at St Joseph's Hospital.

Telephone consultations for Vascular Surgery are encouraged wherever possible, however face-to-face appointments and hot clinics are available if preferred.

The following treatments have resumed, with reduced lists re-instated:

- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Pancreatitis and other urgent conditions;

- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy following certain illnesses (considered on a case by case basis);

- Rectum Examinations Under Anaesthetic for anal pain/anal mass/ Crohn’s sepsis/ Crohn’s resections;

- Colonoscopy (reduced lists)

We have now introduced a reduced outpatient service at Nevill Hall Hospital, in addition to the outpatient clinics already being undertaken Monday to Friday at St Joseph's Hospital. These are face to face clinics for Upper Gastrointestinal and Lower Gastrointestinal patients. The appointments are booked for patients who have been referred to the service and prioritised as urgent and also for the longest waiting routine patients.

All routine patients will be treated in turn, with those waiting the longest treated first.

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

GP practices are open and can provide telephone triage and remote consultations (video or telephone) where appropriate, with the facility to see you face to face where clinically necessary.  Where possible appointments are limited to one person. 

If you require an urgent or routine medical appointment, please contact your GP practice either by telephone or via their online platforms such as E-Consult.  Please check your GP practice website to identify the best way to access their services.

If you require a home visit, please telephone your GP practice where your enquiry will be triaged.  Home visits will only be carried out where deemed clinically appropriate.

You don't always need to see your GP and your practice may recommend that you see another health professional who is part of the practice team.

GP practice receptionists throughout Gwent have been trained in care navigation.  This training allows reception staff to advise callers of the health care professional or service best placed to treat them, ensuring patients effectively navigate the services they need.  This might include the Practice Nurse, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, local Pharmacist or indeed a Practice-Based Pharmacist who can treat you without necessarily seeing your GP.

If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 and have a pre-booked face-to-face appointment, please advise your GP practice before attending your appointment. 

Visiting your GP practice may look and feel very different to before. Practices will ensure that social distancing measures are met and are providing hand sanitising stations within the practice.  Please ensure you comply with government guidelines and wear an appropriate face covering when visiting the practice unless you are medically exempt.  If you are offered a face to face appointment please do not arrive ahead of your appointment time so that practices can manage numbers in waiting areas to adhere to social distancing.

If you are experiencing health problems, please contact your GP practice or 111. 

It is important that you are registered with a GP practice to ensure your medical needs are addressed when required. Every GP practice has its own boundary area where patients are accepted from. If you have recently moved house please contact your GP practice to discuss your registration status. In addition, if you are not registered with a GP practice, please access GPs - Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (nhs.wales) where a list of practices within your area of residency will be displayed. Please note that in order to register with a practice, you must contact the practice direct.  

 

 

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

We are running outpatient clinics from w/c 07/06/21 in both Nevill Hall and the Royal Gwent Hospital to reduce the waiting times for new referrals.

Treatment lists with local anaesthetic continue to be held in the Women’s Health Ambulatory Care Unit at Nevill Hall Hospital thereby reducing the wait for treatment.

Current status - 7th June 2021

Gynaecology has currently suspended routine services in line with recent Welsh Government advice and Health Board communication.

Urgent Suspected Cancer activity, including Post-Menopausal Bleeding and Colposcopy appointments, will now be delivered from Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr and Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan. Urgent Suspected Cancer diagnostic procedures continue to be delivered at Nevill Hall Hospital.

Cervical Screening services and Fertility Clinics have also recommenced, with face-to-face Fertility consultations available and women age 38+ prioritised.  Insertion of pessary has now restarted.

The service will be utilising capacity at St Joseph's Hospital to increase the number of operations being performed.

Future Plans
We are currently working through our plans to re-start the following treatments:

- Urodynamics diagnostics;

- Any laparoscopic procedure;

- Anterior and posterior repair and urogynaecology procedures including TVT/TOT insertions and other repairs;

- Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (including Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy;

- Oophorectomy (benign conditions);

- Sterilisation;

- Hysteroscopy (benign conditions)

Current status - 30th May 2022

North and South day units have been combined into RGH and we are now looking at moving our north treatments back to NHH.  All services continue as normal.

All Outpatient appointments and treatments are now being offered.

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

In all areas we have ongoing support from our Responsive Feeding Teams who are making contact with all parents/carers within 72 hours of birth discharge to provide telephone support and advice.   There is a New Birth Home Visit from a named Health Visitor for every family when their baby is 10 to 14 days old and again at 4 to 6 weeks and also a home visit  by a Health Visitor at 6 months and 15 months.  Health Visitors are also seeing face to face at home or at a local venue for those families requiring extra support and advice.  Our skill mix staff are commencing home visits to weigh and measure children at 27 months following a telephone contact and will continue to provide a telephone contact at 3 and a half years. All Health Visiting staff will wear the required COVID-19  protective equipment for home visiting and face to face contacts.

 If a family does not wish for a home visit to go ahead  or to attend a local venue then the contacts could be completed as much as is possible over the telephone or via Whats App.

Flying Start services are also providing extra contacts and support to their families.

For more information and any related query, families are advised to contact the central Health Visiting advice line on 01633 618010 for advice and support.

Future Plans

We are planning to provide the Attend Anywhere video calling system (which is being rolled out in the Health Board area) to facilitate future group work.

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

The Learning Disability Directorate has continued to provide services for adults with a Learning Disability throughout the pandemic. These include:

Community Learning Disability Teams (CLDT) continue to receive referrals and undertake assessments and interventions as required.

Teams can be contacted directly or referrals can be emailed to ABB.LDCLDTReferrals@wales.nhs.uk

  • Blaenau Gwent CLDT, The Bridge Centre, Abertillery – 01495 354666
  • Caerphilly CLDT, Woodfieldside Business Park, Blackwood – 01495 235532
  • Monmouth CLDT, County Hall, Usk – 01873 735412
  • Newport CLDT, Civic Centre, Newport – 01633 238656
  • Torfaen CLDT, Torfaen Business Centre, Pontypool – 01633 624101

All of our clinicians are offering appointments by telephone or remotely using Attend Anywhere/ Microsoft Teams. Face to face appointments including home visits continue to be undertaken where the clinical need requires this. We are of course adhering to all of the guidance regarding COVID-19, in order to keep everyone as safe as possible throughout this period and beyond.

Our inpatient unit Ty Lafant, Llanfrechfa Grange continues to provide admission to individuals with a Learning Disability who are known to our CLDTs and require assessment and treatment in a hospital environment.

Current status - 30th May 2022

The Health Board has made a decision to temporarily close the Midwifery-Led birthing units at Nevill Hall Hospital and the Royal Gwent Hospital from Monday 9th May, 2022 until October 2022.

The birthing unit at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr will remain fully staffed between 08:30 and 16:30, but out of hours this will revert to a birthing pod with a midwife attending for birth only. Home birth options and the midwife -led birthing area in Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan remain available.

We would like to reassure you that this decision has been made with the best interests of our mums and new babies in mind. Please remember that women have four options within the Health Board area for birth - at home, a midwife led birthing unit, within the alongside birthing unit, and in an obstetric unit.

The number of births at Nevill Hall and Royal Gwent birthing units were 20 and 24 respectively for the past 12 months, so the number of births impacted by this decision is low. Nevertheless, we recognise that some  women's choice of birth location will be affected.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused, but we believe this decision is the right one to ensure the safety of women and to support our midwives who are under significant pressure due to the current staffing shortages. 

 

Antenatal Services

Most appointments are going ahead as usual, however we are offering virtual and telephone for some allocated appointments so as to limit face-to-face contact.

Telephone Clinics are currently being conducted for the following pregnancy stages:

  • Booking appointment (12-14 weeks)

Virtual Clinics

  • Consultant reviews (face-to-face where clinically necessary)

Face-to-face appointments and care are currently being conducted for the following pregnancy stages:

  • Dating Ultrasound Scan between 10 and 14 weeks gestation
  • Anomaly Scan at 20 weeks
  • Antenatal care from 25 weeks
  • Antenatal visits at 25,28,32, 36, 38, 40 and 41 weeks
  • Access to emergency care from weeks 20 to 40

Birth Options

The following four choices remain an option for women:

  • Obstetric Unit
  • Birthing Unit
  • Freestanding Birthing Unit
  • Home

Postnatal Services

  • Telephone consultations continue to be offered where appropriate.

Face-to-Face appointments and care are currently being conducted for postnatal services:

  • First day after birth – home visit from a midwife (if home is Covid-19 symptom free)
  • Day 3 of life – weight check for baby
  • Day 5 – New-born screening
  • Personalised face-to-face care as clinically indicated and agreed with the Women.

 

Visiting Update:

We know it has been a very difficult time for families during the pandemic and we are now in a position to make some changes to our visiting restrictions. 

 

As of Monday 4th April, 2022, your partner is welcome to be with you during labour and birth (24/7) and also on the post natal, ante natal and induction areas between 8am and 8pm.

Please be aware that the wearing of masks is mandatory in ALL hospital settings.

Please be informed that partners can only attend if they have no symptoms of COVID-19. Additionally, a negative lateral flow test is also required - these are available until June 2022.

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

Face to face clinics have restarted in the Royal Gwent Hospital for the most clinically urgent patients.

For all other cases, we are offering virtual and telephone clinics where possible.

 
Future Plans

We are working through our plans to restart treatments and diagnostics.  

Current status - 30th May 2022

Telephone appointments only are currently being offered to:

- Epilepsy;

- Multiple Sclerosis;

- Motor Neurone Disease;

- General Neurology;

- Parkinson’s patients

We are offering weekly face-to-face clinics for Urgent Epilepsy and Urgent Suspected Relapse Multiple Sclerosis patients.

Tysabri infusions for MS patients are ongoing as usual, and Neurotoxin treatment is being offered to Dystonia patients every other week.

Face-to-face appointments are available for Motor Neurone Disease and General Neurology patients requiring urgent Botox treatment. We are also offering urgent face-to-face consultations for General Neurology patients requiring lumbar puncture to diagnose Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) and/or Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

All infusions (other than Tysabri) for MS patients have recommenced. 

 

Community Neurological Rehabilitation Service

Patients with stroke and brain injury are being provided with an early supported discharge service and offered telephone or video assessment, coaching and support where clinically appropriate.

For domiciliary visits staff will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for in house sessions or will offer sessions in outside areas where space and weather allows.

The Acquired Brain Injury Service will be contacting all patients by telephone to determine levels of support required.

The Clinical Psychology In-reach Service to the Stroke Units is operating as normal.

Clinical Psychology Outpatient Clinics are being undertaken virtually.

Fore referral information and contact details for the Community Neurological Rehabilitation Service please telephone 01495 363461 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.

Future plans

We are currently unable to offer routine face-to-face appointments for:

- Motor Neurone Disease;

- General Neurology; and

- Parkinson’s patients

However, we are working through our plans to resume these as soon as we are able to do so.

The Acquired Brain Injury Service Team is developing online groups to support patients living with stroke and brain injury.

Current status - 30th May 2022

Occupational Therapy referrals are now being accepted. Patients will be triaged and risk assessed via the telephone, and appointments will then take place either virtually or face-to-face.

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

Urgent and emergency memory and mental health assessments for older people have continued throughout the pandemic, either by home visit or attendance at one off clinics.

We have continued to review existing patients, either by telephone or face to face.

Routine non-urgent face to face Memory Clinics have resumed across all localities. In all areas, virtual consultations will be the initial offer with face to face appointments offered as clinically appropriate

Due to infection control and social distancing restrictions these will be running at reduced capacity.

Any new patients referred to our memory clinics will be offered telephone or Attend Anywhere (virtual) assessments in the first instance, however if either of these are not appropriate or not possible for the patient and their carer a face to face appointment will be made available.

Face to face clinics are recommencing on different dates due to local arrangements and this information will be made available here as soon as things are confirmed.

Memory clinics are based out of Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr (YYF); Ty Siriol; Ysbyty Tri Cwm; St Cadoc's; Chepstow, Monnow Vale and Mardy Parc.

Current status - 30th May 2022

Outpatients:

Plans to restart outpatient clinics in YYF are being made.

The following services have continued to run throughout the pandemic, however, the way they are run has now been altered slightly to accomodate social distancing regulations:

- Ophthalmology / Emergency eye clinics at The Royal Gwent Hospital

- Ophthalmology / Wet Macular Degeneration clinics at Specsavers, Nevill Hall Hospital and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr

- Ophthalmology Wet Macular Degeneration Referral Refinement clinics at Specsavers

- Retinopathy of Prematurity screening and clinics at The Grange University Hospital

- Bandage contact lens clinics at The Royal Gwent Hospital

 

The following services are operating at a reduced capacity at Nevill Hall Hospital for urgent / emergency cases only:

- General Ophthalmology clinics

- Ophthalmology Wet Macular Degeneration clinics

- Minor ops

- Orthoptist clinics

- Ophthalmology Pre Assessment clinic

 

We are currently working through our plans to resume the following services at Nevill Hall Hospital:

- Cataract clinics

- Cataract surgery

 

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

Optometry practices are open for urgent and essential appointments and can also provide routine sight tests to patients. 

To find an optician you can search our directory of opticians, simply contact a practice to make an appointment. Depending on your requirements you may be seen by an:

  • Optometrist - also known as ophthalmic opticians, are trained professionals who examine eyes, give advice on visual problems, and prescribe glasses and contact lenses. They can also refer cases of eye disease where appropriate
  • Dispensing Optician - make up prescriptions from optometrists. They may fit and supply spectacles, contact lenses and other optical appliances, but do not perform eye examinations

Optometry practices will prioritise and schedule patient appointments based on clinical need and presenting symptoms relative to the risk of sight loss and harm.  

Visiting the optometry practice may look and feel very different to before. Practices will ensure that social distancing measures are met and are providing hand sanitising stations within the practice. 

To find out what optical care and services are available under the NHS please access the following link Free NHS eye tests and optical vouchers

If you require an urgent eye appointment or you are at a higher risk of eye disease, you can access the Eye Health Examination Wales (EHEW) Scheme free of charge. In addition,  your GP or Pharmacist can also refer you to an optician that is EHEW accredited.  

Please visit www.eyecare.wales.nhs.uk where a list of EHEW practices will be displayed or alternatively look for the following sign in optician’s windows. 

Current status - 30th May 2022

Children’s Community Nursing Service

Due to shortage of staff we have had to amalgamate clinics that were being restarted in YAB to YYF and NHH. These are only clinics where CCN support was required. We are looking at how these can be restarted in the near future.

 

PAEDIATRICS

Acute Services

Children who require emergency treatment are cared for at the Grange University Hospital, Cwmbran NP44 8YN where specialist children's Doctors and Nurses, children's hospital beds and the Children's Emergency Assessment Unit are now located.

Local Minor Injury Units for children (aged over 1 year) remain at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Nevill Hall Hospital, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr and Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan. All children under 1 year old however, are seen at The Grange University Hospital.

For more information, please visit www.abuhb.nhs.wales


Outpatient Services

Video and Telephone clinics are running weekly for newly referred and existing patients. Children are offered appointments in order of waiting time and/or clinical priority. 

Face to face consultations in Outpatient Departments are offered where clinically appropriate. Such clinics operate from a number of sites including Woolos Hospital, Nevill Hall Hospital, Ysbvty Aneurin Bevin, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr and Serennu Children’s Centre.

 

Children’s Community Nursing Services

All services operating normally. The Care Closer to Home Team continues 8am – 8pm 7 days a week.

Clinics coverage continues to expand as more consultants return to face to face clinics. These clinics operate from a number of sites including St Woolos Hospital, Nevill Hall Hospital, Ysbvty Aneurin Bevin, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr and Serennu Children’s Centre. 

 

NEONATES

Acute Care

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the specialist Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran NP44 8YN offers a full service.  There are no longer neonatal services at the Royal Gwent or Nevill Hall Hospitals.


Outpatient Services

Video or Telephone clinics are running weekly for newly referred and existing babies and infants.  Appointments are allocated in order of waiting time and/or clinical priority. 

In addition, Face to face consultations in Outpatient Departments are offered where clinically appropriate.  Such clinics operate from a number of sites including Woolos Hospital, Nevill Hall Hospital, Ysbvty Aneurin Bevin, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr and Serennu Children’s Centre.”

Future Plans

- We are actively recruiting members of staff within our Children's Community Nursing Services.

- A reduction of COVID measures to be implemented to support both the acute and GP services around venepuncture to support our services. 

- We will be adapting the way respite services are delivered by undertaking a pilot scheme within Serennu Childrens centre to support a number of children simultaneously. A 3 month pilot will commence October 2021.

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

We are now providing support via telephone or virtual consultations to physiotherapy patients who have either an urgent or routine need for physiotherapy advice or treatment. We are also able to offer face to face consultations, however our capacity to do this is still limited by the social distancing guidelines.   We are also now able to administer soft tissue or intra articular joint injections for musculoskeletal (MSK) patients, when appropriate. We are also offering face-to-face group activity where appropriate.

Information is available via our Online Self-help Guidance by clicking on the relevant link below:

Future Plans

We will review our plans to reinstate hydrotherapy appointments, when appropriate.

Current status - 30th May 2022

The Podiatry and Orthotics service remains open; although we are operating from a marginally reduced number of clinical sites at present.

If you require advice or have a query regarding your Podiatry or Orthotic treatment, please get in touch on the following number: 01633 615225 (Mon-Fri)

Select Option 1 for Podiatry or Option 2 for Orthotics

Or alternatively by e-mail:

Podiatry Email: ABB.Risca.Podiatry@wales.nhs.uk

Orthotics Email: ABB.OrthoticAdmin@wales.nhs.uk

Additional resources are available on our website: https://abuhb.nhs.wales/hospitals/a-z-hospital-services/podiatry-orthotics/


Emergency face-to-face appointments are available to patients with Urgent Active Foot Disease and to those at high risk of developing ulcers. 

We are in the process of inviting existing patients for face-to-face Podiatry appointments based on their medical risk classification.

The service is providing a variety of face-to-face and virtual appointments for those with musculoskeletal and/or orthotic requirements, depending on clinical presentation and relevant risk factors.

MSK Shockwave clinics have restarted.

Injection Therapy is now possible for certain patients as part of MSK Podiatry treatment plans based on a clinical risk assessment.

Podiatric Nail Surgery is available for patients with urgent clinical need.

Joint Physiotherapy and Orthotics Clinics for neurological rehabilitation have restarted.

The service is open to provide advice to patients seeking support - both urgent and non-urgent patients.

 

Future Plans

We are reviewing the benefit of virtual appointments within MSK + Orthotics to see how this might be a part of our service going forward.

We are reviewing our clinical accommodation program across all sites. 

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

The Primary Care Mental Health Support Service, Integrated Autism Service and Psychological Wellbeing Service remain open and are accepting referrals, with assessments being carried out face to face where possible, or via telephone or virtual appointment. Existing patients are continually reviewed and offered either face to face, telephone or virtual appointments, dependent on the needs of the patient.

If you would like to access any of our online resources and self-help information, please visit our Mental Health and Well-being web pages

Current status - 30th May 2022

The following Radiology Specialties are prioritised based on Urgent Suspected Cancer, urgent and routine requests:

- MRI Scans; 

- CT Scans;

- CT Colonography at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr and Nevill Hall Hospital;

- CT Cardiac scans at the Royal Gwent Hospital (In patients at the Grange University Hospital)

- Nuclear Medicine in the Royal Gwent Hospital and Nevill Hall Hospital;

- Paediatric Scoliosis X-Rays;

- Urgent Musculoskeletal Ultrasounds;

- Urgent Magnetic Resonance Enterography;

- DEXA Scans;

- Musculoskeletal Ultrasounds;

- Musculoskeletal imaging-guided steroid injections;

- Interventional procedures;

- Barium studies;

- HSG's at Nevill Hall Hospital.

 

The following Radiology Departments are providing a service for plain film referrals from Primary Care;

- County Hospital

- Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan

- Chepstow Community Hospital

- St Woolos Hospital

- Monnow Vale

Future Plans

We are currently working through our plans to re-start:

- Plain film referrals from Primary Care at Royal Gwent Hospital, Nevill Hall Hospital and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr;

- Fibroid embolisationsand epidurals.

 

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

We are continuing with urgent face to face appointments in Nevill Hall Hospital, St Woolos and Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan hospitals.  However these will be restricted due to COVID and therefore most appointments where appropriate will be carried out as a telephone appointment.  Please note the hospital telephone numbers begin with 0330. 

The Pleural Outpatient Service has continued throughout the Pandemic, however it is now run from the Chest Clinic.

Outpatient Cancer Clinics are continuing as normal activity in the Chest Clinic.

Lung Function Diagnostics, are operating at a reduced rate due to Social Distancing regulations and air flow requirements. We now have 2 lung function machines to increase capacity due to maximising air flow.

We are running face-to-face Clinics for new and existing Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) patients.

We are offering face-to-face and telephone Clinics for Tuberculosis patients, and new and existing Asthma patients. For Asthma patients, Xolair injection clinics are taking place at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr at normal capacity.

The Sleep Service is running telephone clinics for new and existing patients.

Urgent Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) set ups are taking place in person, at a reduced capacity (full PPE worn), however less urgent CPAP set ups can be conducted via telephone.

Pulse Oximetry is running at increased capacity to reduce the backlog of patients, with the South patients being able to stay in their car whilst being handed equipment.

Pulmonary Rehab trials are being conducted virtually due to Social Distancing

Outpatient Appointments for Nevill Hall Hospital and Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan - Face to face clinics are taking place but running at reduced capacity due to social distancing. Telephone clinics are also continuing.

Outpatient Appointments at the Royal Gwent and St Woolos Hospitals - Face to face clinics are taking place but running at reduced capacity due to social distancing. Telephone clinics are also continuing. 

Telephone clinics for new and existing patients are operating for the following services:

- General Respiratory;

- COPD;

- Oxygen

- Sleep

- Asthma

Current status - 30th May 2022

There is a phased increase in Rheumatology face to face outpatient capacity with the aim of increasing this across all consultants on a weekly basis.

Current status - 30th May 2022

All patients requiring Sexual and Reproductive Health Services i.e. requiring contraception or management of sexually transmitted infections can call our triage line on 01495 765065. 

The triage line operates between the following hours:

  • Monday - 09:00 - 16:00
  • Tuesday - 09:00 - 16:00
  • Wednesday - 08:30 - 18:00
  • Thursday - 09:00 - 16:00
  • Friday - 09:00 - 16:00

When you call you will be placed in a queue until the phone operator answers your call. Your details will be given to a nurse who will call you back to see if you need an appointment and will arrange this as required. They may also give you other advice e.g. how to access treatment at the pharmacy or your GP.

If you would like testing for sexually transmitted infections but have no symptoms you can access free testing by going to www.friskywales.org

The Unplanned Pregnancy Service; HIV and PREP Clinics are offering telephone and face to face consultations.

Patients requiring Menopause Services are being offered telephone and face to face consultation following the usual referral process.

Patients requiring Psychosexual Services are being offered telephone consultations following the usual referral process.

Vasectomy Services are now operating.

Further information can be found on the Sexual and Reproductive Health pages of our website.

Current status as of 7th June 2021

Patients requesting Oral Contraception and Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Depo Provera Injection are being seen following triage and telephone consultation.  Complex Contraception Services are continued at a reduced number.

Patients with symptoms of sexually transmitted infection are being seen following triage and telephone consultation, and being examined and treated as appropriate, including wart treatments.

The Unplanned Pregnancy Service; HIV and PREP Clinics are offering telephone and face to face consultations.

Patients requiring Menopause Services are being offered telephone and face to face consultation following the usual referral process.

Patients requiring Psychosexual Services are being offered telephone consultations following the usual referral process.

Vasectomy Services are suspended until further notice.

Priority Smear Appointments are being offered.

Public Health Wales set up an Online Asymptomatic (not showing symptoms) Testing Service and patients are referred to this site through our triage system to access asymptomatic testing https://www.friskywales.org

Sexual and Reproductive Health Procedure Clinics to enable implants to be fitted / changed / removed are set up.  A waiting list and prioritisation is taking place with clinically urgent cases being prioritised as appropriate.

Clinics for coil insertions / change are held.  A waiting list and prioritisation is taking place with those deemed clinically urgent being seen following triage and telephone consultation.

Further information can be found on the Sexual and Reproductive Health pages of our website.

Future Plans

We are currently working through our plans to resume all routine services.

Current status - 30th May 2022

The following Speech and Language Therapy specialties are operating as usual for urgent and vulnerable patients, with staff wearing full PPE:

- Adult Outpatient Dysphagia (Swallowing);

- Children’s Outpatient Dysphagia;

- Instrumental Assessment of Dysphagia- Video Fluoroscopy and Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)

- Adult Outpatients ENT and Head and Neck Cancer

For all other client groups, the ABUHB Speech and Language Therapy team are providing a blended offer of face-to-face, video and telephone appointments in line with clinical need, clinical evidence and ABUHB infection control guidelines. Service users will be consulted on what may work best for their individual circumstances in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.

 

For referral information and contact details for the Speech and Language Therapy department, visit the SLT pages on the ABUHB dedicated website.

 

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

Community Neurological Rehabilitation Service

Patients with stroke and brain injury are accessing the early supported discharge service. Where home visits are required staff will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for in house sessions or will offer sessions in outside areas where space and weather allows . People are also offered telephone or video assessment, coaching and support where clinically appropriate.

The Acquired Brain Injury Service is assessing all referred people by telephone to determine levels of support required and is undertaking domiciliary visits with PPE and using telephone or video coaching support where clinically appropriate.

The Clinical Psychology In-reach Service to the Stroke Units is available but will seek to support remotely via ward based colleagues where clinically appropriate to minimize staff movement between wards, sites and community settings.

Clinical Psychology Outpatient Clinics are being undertaken virtually in most cases with domiciliary visits where clinically required using PPE.

For referral information and contact details for the Community Neurological Rehabilitation Service please telephone 01495 363461 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.

 

Future Plans

We are currently reviewing our plans to offer routine CT scans, ECG and Doppler diagnostics for TIA patients.

Current status - 30th May 2022

Fracture, Paediatric and Elective clinics have returned to normal service with reduced capacity due to social distancing at the following locations:

  • Fracture and Orthopaedic Unit, Royal Gwent Hospital
  • Morgan Therapy Unit, St Woolos Hospital
  • Nevill Hall Hospital
  • Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan
  • Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr

Please be aware that patients are being booked in a strict order according to their urgency and waiting times.

If you need to contact the booking team, please use the following email address: OrthopaedicOutpatients.ABB@wales.nhs.uk and we will aim to reply within 72 hours.

Fitness for surgery appointments are taking place both via telephone and face-to-face sessions with face-to-face sessions taking place at Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan and Belle-Vue Unit in The Royal Gwent Hospital.

Preadmission and consent appointments are taking place as face-to-face sessions across our outpatient sites at Belle-Vue clinic and The Fracture and Orthopaedic Unit at the Royal Gwent , Morgan Therapy Unit at St Woolos Hospital and at Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan.

 

Fitness for Surgery and Preadmissions appointments

We may contact you via text asking you to call in to our contact centre when short notice appointments become available due to a cancellation. This text will be sent from 07860 039 092. If you receive this text, please follow the instructions to contact the team and the slots will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

 

Treatments
  • Major emergency procedures are being undertaken at the Grange University Hospital.
  • Hand trauma cases are being undertaken on Fridays at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.

All other minor trauma cases are being booked into elective lists following green pathway rules.

 

Elective surgery has resumed at the following sites:

  • Orthopaedic Surgical Unit, St Woolos Hospital
  • Nevill Hall Hospital

 

Elective Surgery has been suspended at the following sites:

  • Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr
  • The Royal Gwent Hospital

 

All patients are being reviewed by their consultants and booked strictly according to clinical priority. Our phone lines are very busy at this time but if you do need to contact us for a routine query, please use the following email address: OrthopaedicTreatments.ABB@wales.nhs.uk and we will aim to reply within 72 hours.

 

Current status - 30th May 2022

Urgent and Urgent Suspected Cancer face-to-face Outpatient appointments are still going ahead as usual, however we are encouraging patients to undertake telephone appointments wherever possible.

We are performing the following treatments as usual:

-Major Urgent Suspected Cancer;

- Very urgent cases;

- Lithotripsy;

- Intermittent Self-Catheterisation;

- Catheter changes;

- Stent insertion/ changes

- Botox;

- Lithotripsy;

- Trial Without Catheters and

- Intermittent Self Catheterisations

 

Future Plans

We are still developing our plans for the re-starting of routine appointments for new patients and Urinary Flow Clinics.

Clinically Urgent Cases, Routine Inpatient and Routine Day cases will start as soon as the All Wales Guidance changes.