Hywel Dda Health Board is the new healthcare organisation formed on 1st October 2009 to replace Hywel Dda NHS Trust, Pembrokeshire Local Health Board, Ceredigion Local Health Board and Carmarthenshire Local Health Board, and provides primary, secondary, community and mental health and learning disability healthcare for the people of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire - effectively the whole of mid and south west Wales, to a population of around 372,320 people across the three counties. Management of four acute hospitals, Withybush General Hospital, West Wales General Hospital, Bronglais General Hospital and Prince Philip Hospital.
Quick Links:
The three counties covered by Hywel Dda are:
Known as the 'Garden of Wales', and its true beauty lays in its simplicity and wealth of natural assets. Home to many of South West Wales' gems, including the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Aberglasney Gardens, Llanelli Scarlets, the National Wool Museum, Ffos Las Race Course, the Millennium Coastal Park, National Wetlands Centre Wales, to name just a few. The county has a wealth of imposing, historic castles to explore, as well as the largest town in West Wales - the county town of Carmarthen - which has a host of well-known retailers, independent boutiques and famous market.
Dubbed 'Little England beyond Wales', with many award winning beaches. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, one of Britain's breathing spaces, takes in about a third of the county including the entire coastal strip, the upper reaches of the Daugleddau (two swords) and the Preseli's. It is the only National Park that is almost all coastal and attracts thousands of tourists each year. The National Park run an extensive programme of activities and events for both adults and children, such as rock-pool safaris, crab catching, bat walks and even time travel. The county town of Haverfordwest is a market town full of history, tales and landmarks which illustrate its varied past.
The Coastal Path extends from Ynyslas Beach in the north to Cardigan town in the south, providing 60 miles of beautiful coastal scenery passing lime kilns, churches and providing sightings of atlantic seals and dolphins. The University of Aberystwyth has world renowned departments in political studies and environmental areas. The University is a hub of arts and entertainments hosting many national travelling exhibitions and is a venue for many theatrical and musical tours.
The National library of Wales sits just above Bronglais Hospital and holds a complete collection of published books just like the British Library. Easy access to the outdoors provides for sailing, surfing and sand yachting whilst the impressive peaks of Cadair Idris and Snowdon are only a short drive North into Gwynedd.
We provide integrated acute hospital and community services, as well as mental health and learning disability services, across three counties in West Wales Ð Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire in a predominantly rural environment over a large geographical area. All hospitals within Hywel Dda are known for their friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with a 'family' feel within all the hospitals, where doctors are well supported. West Wales provides a wonderful lifestyle opportunity, with each of our major sites in coastal areas abundant with beautiful beaches, spectacular mountains and historic castles. The areas offers excellent quality schools, affordable and attractive residential properties, amenities and activities such as surfing, mountain biking, fishing, sailing, hiking and walking in a natural and clean environment.
Wherever you choose to work, you will be in the company of dedicated and committed professionals and colleagues, in exciting clinical environments, undergoing major investment, modernisation and integration. Back to top
The West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen is the largest acute District General Hospital in south west Wales incorporating 330 beds and providing many in-patient services for patients in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, as well as Carmarthenshire. In addition to a range of general specialties, there are visiting Consultants in Paediatric Cardiology, Paediatric Neurology, Paediatric Urology, Genito-Urinary Medicine, Clinical Oncology, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Mental Illness and Oral Surgery. A brand new £7m state-of-the-art Emergency Unit opened in March 2007 which includes accommodation suitable for 40,000 patients a year and houses ITU and HDU beds. Back to top
The Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, is a busy, modern, well-equipped hospital built on the nucleus design in May 1990. There are 204 acute and elective inpatient beds that support General Medicine and Elective General Surgery. Facilities include a Central Treatment Suite, with provision for 40 patients and providing surgical day case theatre, Endoscopic Suite, Hospice, and MRI Scanner. The newly opened £7 million Breast Unit has been designed with two ideas in mind. Firstly, to provide the very best diagnostic and treatment services with equipment so that breast cancer can be found and treated quickly, and, secondly, to give the best support to women throughout their treatment and recovery so that they can regain their health and confidence to enjoy the rest of their lives. Back to top
We have a purpose built clinic with interior design by Vivid Consultancy. The equipment is state of the art including three dimensional mammography. This is the first such machine in the world to come into general clinical use and was paid for by our charity. Instead of open wards we have individual rooms designed like a hotel. The clinic suite gives women access to specialist doctors (surgeons, radiologists, genetics and oncologists), specialist nurses in breast care, post operative recovery and chemotherapy, as well as a lymphoedema service and access to the latest research. Wherever possible and safe we prefer minimal surgery using advanced techniques such as sentinel node biopsy and intra- operative node analysis. For those who need more extensive surgery breast reconstruction is routinely available. Research we are conducting with two other local hospitals has allowed us to be the first in Europe to test all women with early disease routinely for cancer gene activity (Oncotype Dx TM). We expect this will reduce the need for chemotherapy, safely avoiding it in women with a very low risk of future problems. Back to top
The Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, provides A & E, general surgery, orthopaedic & trauma surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics, radiology and general medical services. The 257-bedded hospital has a modern well-equipped theatre suite, a new dedicated day surgery unit, and innovative ways of managing elective inpatients are being developed using a new Same Day Admissions Unit. There is a new 10 bedded combined ITU/HDU. Back to top
Bronglais General Hospital in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, is uniquely situated in the middle of the west coast of Wales and stands as a model of rural healthcare being one of the smallest acute DGHs in the UK. As well as serving the population of Ceredigion, it also serves the neighbouring counties of Powys and south Gwynedd. The hospital has developed a reputation of innovation and forward-thinking and has led the way in adopting new technology to enhance clinical services. Cancer MDT's, Neurology Clinics and other services utilise teleconferencing facilities to provide local access to Tertiary Services. Helicopter transfer training will be provided for doctors at Bronglais General Hospital. Back to top
Hywel Dda also has eight Community Hospitals, which amongst them have received numerous awards and national recognition for best practice. These hospitals provide Community Care, In-patient beds, rehabilitation, palliative care and numerous Out- patient Clinics. Many are also integrated closely with primary and social services, operation multi-agency and professional teams.
The Community Hospitals are:
There is a doctors' mess on each site where you are asked to contribute a nominal fee and join the mess. Facilities in the mess include, TV, computer with internet access, newspapers, comfy sofa etc. All doctors will be issued with IT password for access to internal systems and the internet etc. Back to top
The Education Centre and Postgraduate Centres are integral features of the Health Board, which are the base for the organisational and administrative support which facilitates all educational activities for undergraduates, training grades, career grades and General Practitioners in the area. Formal induction is organised for all new starters and attendance is compulsory. All new starters will be issued with a Handbook. Individual protocols are available on the health board intranet web site. Back to top
All sites have a library service Ð with 24 hour access. Back to top
There are subsidised canteen facilities available throughout the organisation. Back to top
You will be joining the Health Board at an exciting time as new organisational structures are established, increasingly based on care pathways. There are close links with the Swansea Medical School, including areas of research & development and multi-professional teaching. Back to top
Training and education are central to the function of the Health Board, forming a core element of the Clinical Governance Strategy. Without staff who are appropriately trained and developed the Health Board would be unable to ensure the delivery of the highest quality of healthcare to meet the needs of the local people. Back to top
There is a mixture of child care facilities available. Further information can be obtained from the Human Resources Department. Back to top
All accommodation is in close proximity to the main hospitals and car parking facilities are available alongside residences in most areas.
There are purpose built on-site residential accommodation blocks at all hospital sites which provide accommodation of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom flats. There is single/bed-sit accommodation available for FP1's if they require it. Coin operated launderette facilities are available in the residences. Car-parking is provided in an adjacent controlled area. There are also local estate agents who are able to provide you with a list of private rental addresses in the area if you so wish. Back to top
Links to other parts of the United Kingdom most having access to the M4 motorway and all having main line stations with direct links to London.
Cardiff International Airport is just one hour away and operates scheduled flights to other parts of the UK and most European destinations as well as the USA. Heathrow and Gatwick airports have daily services.
The Swansea to Cork Ferry, and Fishguard connects Wales with the Southern part of Ireland. Back to top
Leisure facilities abound, whether they be indoor or outdoor, water or land based. The location provides an abundance of opportunities for golf, water sports walking, cycling,, rugby, food, health and fitness. Back to top