Health Board highlights progress and priorities at Annual General Meeting
Hywel Dda University Health Board has outlined progress in reducing waiting times, improving patient experience and strengthening community-based care, while acknowledging ongoing challenges, at its Annual General Meeting.
The meeting, held on 30 July 2026, reviewed performance during 2025-2026 and highlighted priorities for the year ahead, including further improvements in urgent and planned care, and long-term financial sustainability.
The Health Board reported progress in several key areas, including cancer services, mental health, infection prevention and workforce stability. Targeted action has helped reduce the longest waits in some specialties and improve co-ordination between hospital and community teams.
Improvements in urgent and emergency care included quicker transfer of patients from ambulances, enhanced emergency department environments, and additional clinical capacity. Major developments included the opening of the Leri Cancer Unit at Bronglais Hospital and refurbishment projects at Glangwili and Prince Philip hospitals to improve patient experience.
Patients have also benefited from more inclusive and personalised care, including learning disability support in emergency settings, expanded women’s health psychology services, and new technology for pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes.
Alongside these improvements, the Health Board highlighted areas requiring further progress, particularly in how patients move through urgent and emergency care, planned care waiting times in some specialties, and financial sustainability.
The organisation continues to deliver national vaccination programmes, strengthen infection control measures, expand research activity and increase volunteer involvement.
Dr Neil Wooding CBE, Health Board Chair said: "2025-26 has been a challenging year, with extremely high demand, staffing pressures and financial constraints. These pressures have at times been difficult for our patients, staff and communities. Despite this, our focus has remained on keeping people safe, supporting our staff and improving care wherever possible.
“Alongside those pressures, we have continued to look ahead. Our refreshed strategy, ‘A Healthier Mid and West Wales – Healthier lives, well lived’ gives us a clear direction to 2040. Our work on the Clinical Services Plan and the developing ‘Community by Design’ approach will continue into 2026-27 with the aim of improving safety, quality and sustainability. They have been shaped by extensive engagement with staff, patients and communities, and listening to these voices will remain essential as changes progress.
“We are making steady progress, but we know there is more to do. Looking forward, we will focus on improving access to care, supporting our staff and delivering sustainable services for our communities.
"We are extremely proud of and grateful to all our staff, volunteers, partners and communities for all you do to help us provide safe, sustainable, accessible and kind healthcare to people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Thank you.”
The meeting also highlighted the importance of working with partners and communities to shape future services, supported by the Health Board’s long-term strategy to 2040.
Further details of the AGM, together with a recording of the meeting, a video reflecting on the year and the Annual Report and Accounts 2025-2026 is available here: Annual General Meeting 30 July 2026 - Hywel Dda University Health Board