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Vascular services across south east Wales have been centralised to Cardiff.
All vascular patients living within the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which covers Caerphilly County Borough, will be seen at the University Hospital of Wales.
What are vascular services?
Vascular diseases cover any condition that affects the network of the blood vessels known as the vascular or circulatory system. The main aim of vascular services is to reconstruct, unlock or bypass arteries to restore blood flow to organs. These are often one-off procedures, mainly to reduce the risk of sudden death, prevent stroke, reduce the risk of amputation or improve function. Vascular services also provide support to patients with other problems such as kidney disease.
Source: Welsh Government
What area does Aneurin Bevan University Health Board cover?
ABUHB covers health services within Caerphilly County Borough, as well as Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire. It also covers parts of southern Powys.
Patients living within the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, as well as the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, will also be seen to in Cardiff.
According to the Welsh Government, around 1,250 patients from across south east Wales need vascular surgery every year.
“Becoming increasingly unsustainable”
Making the announcement earlier this month, Wales’ Health Minister, Eluned Morgan, spoke about the “growing number” of challenges facing vascular services, such as an ageing population and a growing demand for services.
Mrs Morgan said: “Services in their existing format where all care is provided across three separate health boards were becoming increasingly unsustainable.
“The configuration of vascular services across the region has been discussed at length for many years, with various options explored, and a series of recommendations were put forward as part of a case for change.”
She continued: “Vascular surgery is becoming more specialised and the evidence shows that patients have better outcomes if they receive their treatment at larger specialist centres.”
Mrs Morgan pointed to the Royal Surgical Colleges and The Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland, which support the idea of centralised services.
A regional vascular service, covering the three health boards, was launched on July 18.
“This will only fuel anger around the region”
Plaid Cymru Senedd Members Peredur Owen Griffiths and Delyth Jewell, who both represent the South Wales East region, hit out at the Welsh Government over the plans.
In a joint statement, they said: “It is disappointing that vascular services are being centralised outside of the South Wales East region we represent. This will only fuel anger around the region about the centralisation of other services at The Grange hospital near Cwmbran – which is difficult to access for so many.
“If people from the north of the region were angry about travelling to Cwmbran, they will not be happy about travelling to Cardiff for something that was once provided more locally.”
They also criticised the timing of the announcement, which came shortly before the summer break – when Senedd meetings aren’t held.
They said: “It does not allow for much scrutiny or debate ahead of the significant changes.”
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