Putting patients first in a first-class environment

The building received a £172 million investment from the Welsh Government to help create a modern and sustainable environment that supports high-quality patient care.

Hiro Tanaka is an orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital and holds the role of Clinical Director of Orthopaedic Service for the Aneurin Bevan Health Board.

Mr Tanaka said:

“Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr is an example of what we want to achieve in a modern health service.  The building is simply world-class and supports best practice at every level in the hospital." 

“The hospital has no wards. Instead it has 269 beds, in en-suite rooms which reduce the spread of infections.  The waiting area for outpatients is part of the canteen and a computer calls patients automatically from their table.  The clinical area is right next to the canteen, but at the same time completely separate from it.  This is much more pleasant for patients, but more importantly, clinics now run really efficiently and on time."

“The design of the hospital is exceptional.  But I think most of the high quality here is in fact delivered by the staff."

“Our approach is very patient-focussed, and customer care is at the heart of our working model. The hospital opened with the new culture and the staff are motivated to deliver this approach.”

“We want patients to have choice about their condition, their care and their treatment. Our ethos is to ensure that they are seen in the right place in the right time by the right person.  We aim to minimise patient inconvenience by keeping attendances to only what is clinically necessary.  For example, a significant number of follow-up outpatient consultations are now carried out via telephone from the comfort of the patient’s home.”

“Another example is that our preadmission process has been redesigned.  Once a patient decides they want to have surgery, they are fully informed about what will happen and when."

“Patients are seen at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr several weeks before the procedure for an all-in-one appointment including an anaesthetic check, pre-admission tests and blood, and we discuss the impact of the procedure beyond the surgery."

“It is tailored information and patients have a chance to discuss things that are important to them such as when they will be able to drive again, or if they are concerned about the anaesthetic or needles.  These appointments are not standardised, and as a result of this improved process patients are more informed and happier, and their visit to hospital for surgery is shorter."

“This approach results in true value for the patient and the hospital.  Value means better care for patients, easier working for staff and it eliminates waste.  It isn’t such about saving money, although sometimes the best approach is in fact more cost effective."

“Let’s take our orthopaedic services at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.  We have digital X-rays and imaging, theatre facilities are first-class and all rooms are single cubicles with en-suite bathrooms and televisions.  The facilities are superb."

“Our treatment ethos is patient centred which means that patients are given the information to be able to choose what is the best treatment for them at a given time in their life.  This may mean avoiding surgery, for example."

“If a patient comes to us with arthritis in their lower limbs, we may offer those who are suitable a conservative treatment option, called our ‘Joint Treatment Programme’.  It has three elements: education, an exercise scheme and a weight reduction programme.  We’ve been running it for six months now and the results so far are impressive. The changes in the wellbeing of some of our patients are enormous."

“If you give patients true autonomy, then the influence in outcomes is very powerful indeed."

“Through changing the way we do things, we aim to improve the overall experience for patients, reduce unnecessary waiting times and reduce the overall cost of providing the right service.  We will continue to keep improving on our systems and we will achieve this by listening to our patients.”

The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government and Together for Health lists the key actions that we are undertaking to improve health outcomes, improve access and improve patient experience throughout Wales.  For more information follow the links on the right hand side of this page.