Patients having day surgery at Breconshire War Memorial Hospital now have access to a new, dedicated preoperative assessment room, giving them a calm and private space for important checks before their procedure.

Jessica Williams said: “The new room has been purpose equipped to ensure that patients receive their assessment in a setting that offers the right clinical equipment, appropriate resources, and a quiet, private space for these important checks to take place. We already have a pre-operative assessment room in Llandrindod Wells, and we are delighted that we can now offer similar facilities in Brecon.”

Preoperative assessments are a key part of the surgical process. They help staff make sure patients are fit for their operation, identify any potential risks, and plan for a safe and smooth procedure. Assessments can include health questionnaires, basic checks and tests, and an opportunity for patients to ask questions.

The service is currently for patients booked for surgery at Breconshire War Memorial Hospital or Llandrindod Wells Memorial Hospital, which provide day surgery procedures suitable for rural communities.

The new room became available after the hospital introduced a system called Scan4Safety, which uses barcodes to track medical supplies. The technology has freed up a space previously used for storage while improving safety, reducing waste, and making stock management easier for staff.

With a new all-Wales health screening questionnaire being introduced, there are plans to provide local pre-operative assessment for patients due to receive their surgery in other health boards in Wales. The new questionnaire, backed up by digital solutions, will reduce travel for patients as they will be able to receive pre-op closer to home rather than travelling to DGH. In the longer term, the team is also looking at options to provide pre-op for patients due for surgery in England.