Wales – BOA Honorary Treasurer to chair Elective Expert Care Group       

The BOA is supporting an initiative by the new Welsh Cabinet Minister for Health and Care Mabon ap Gwynfor to plan for up to 10 elective care hubs, where they will be based and how they will increase capacity in the system.

The Elective Care Expert Group brings together senior surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists and operational leaders from across NHS Wales. The independent clinical chair will be Rhidian Morgan-Jones, BOA Honorary Treasurer. Rhidian has spent his Consultant career working on orthopaedic infection and revision knee replacements in Cardiff. He recently ‘transferred’ across the border to work in Colchester and help establish the Regional Revision Knee Network.

The Expert Group will develop a surgical hub delivery plan by the end of 2026. The plan will make recommendations to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Social Care on establishing up to ten hubs across Wales. 

Fergal Monsell, President, BOA, said,

“The BOA is keen to continue to support the work of the Welsh Orthopaedic Society in developing the relationship between the T&O community in Wales with the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care. With Rhidian as Chair, Wales will benefit from his insights and knowledge of the extensive surgical hub programme in England and through his network of former colleagues in the Welsh Orthopaedic Society an appreciation of current best practice in Wales.”

Rhidian Morgan-Jones, said,

“I am delighted to have been asked to chair the Elective Expert Care Group. The prioritisation of the Minister on addressing the waiting lists, not least orthopaedics, in Wales is to be welcomed by surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists alike, for the benefit of patients.”

Read the full Welsh Government announcement here.