Health Secretary has today confirmed £7.7m to
upgrade the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery as it
marks its 30th anniversary.
The funding will improve facilities at the centre of excellence
at Morriston Hospital, in Swansea, which supports a population of
10m people from Aberystwyth to Oxford.
The centre provides specialist care to more than 1,000 people
every year – half of whom are children – including people who
have suffered the most severe burns. People with complex burns
from further afield are also referred to Swansea for treatment
and care.
The £7.7m will create three burns cubicles and two general
intensive care cubicles in Morriston's main intensive care unit
and will convert an existing theatre to help treat more burns
patients.
Burns cubicles are highly specialised rooms, where temperatures
can be strictly controlled and are important in reducing the risk
of infection.
Health Secretary said:
“For the last 30 years, the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic
Surgery has built a reputation for being one of Europe's largest
and busiest burns services, providing excellent care to thousands
of people.
“This funding will help to ensure the centre can continue to
deliver the best outcomes for patients and staff alike, with high
quality facilities to meet patient needs, and to attract and
retain talented, professional staff – helping to save more lives,
quickly and safely.”
More than 6,500 people who need plastic surgery, often following
trauma, infection and cancer, are treated every year at the
centre.
Consultant plastic surgeon at Morriston Hospital, Dean
Boyce said:
“The Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery provides care for
major burns for a population of over 10 million in Wales and the
South West of England, and regularly takes intensive care
patients from all over the UK.
“This investment means that the sickest of our Burns patients
will continue to get the best care possible.
“Swansea has always been one of the outstanding Burns centres in
the UK, and this development ensures that this excellence will
continue.”
