HYWEL Dda University Health Board has been given more than £300,000 by the Welsh Government to improve patient and staff experiences at emergency departments and minor injury units.

The Welsh Government has announced that it will be giving a total of £2.7m to health boards in Wales to fund proposals submitted by each health board for a range of matters including improved accessibility, better access to information, infection prevention and control measures, enhanced safety and security, adaptations to better utilise space and general estate improvements.

Hywel Dda has been given £397,000 for its proposals which are:

  • For food and beverage trolleys at Withybush General Hospital.
  • Redecoration of patient waiting area and staff base and replacement of the aging uninterruptable power supply backup system at Bronglais Hospital.
  • Additional electrical sockets for clinical equipment and replacement stock room at Glangwili General Hospital.
  • Restoring wet rooms to enable patients waiting medical beds at the Prince Philip Hospital MIU/AMAU access to a shower.
  • At all sites, there will be visualite sensory and wellbeing feature ceiling lighting to provide a calming environment, particularly for children with sensory issues or learning disabilities.

Powys Teaching Health Board has also been given £180,000 to go towards two projects which are:

  • Refurbishments to the treatment room at the Ystradgynlais Community Hospital minor injury unit.
  • New flooring and furniture, improved CCTV and security and patient information screen at Brecon War Memorial Hospital.

Swansea Bay University Health Board was also given £347,000 for the following projects:

  • Reconfigurations of rooms to accommodate two new consultants and specialist equipment to facilitate radiographers working from home for Neath Port Talbot Hospital minor injury unit.
  • Examination couches to improve ergonomics and efficiency within the bay area and shelving at Morriston Hospital emergency department.
  • Reconstructions to provide adolescent safe space and reconfigurations of bays to improve efficiency and flow at Morriston Hospital children’s emergency department.
  • Widening assessment room to facilitate movement of a patient on a bed in an emergency if a patient deteriorates at Morrison Hospital paediatric assessment unit.

Eluned Morgan, the Welsh Government minister for health and social services, said: “We received such positive feedback from both staff and patients following our investments and upgrades for emergency departments and minor injury units last year.

“We want to continue this to support improving patient and staff care.

“Our £2.7 million investment should enhance both patients’ and staff experience in waiting rooms, and when accessing or providing care and treatment throughout the departments.

“Our emergency departments are always open and ready to support those who have life-threatening and emergency conditions.

“But we can all play a role in helping to reduce some pressure on our emergency services, by considering whether we need to go to an emergency department, or whether other options, like using the dedicated minor injury units or free NHS 111 Wales service and community pharmacists, might provide quicker treatment options for us.”