Surgeons welcome progress on Welsh surgical hub expansion

The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), which represents surgeons across Wales and the UK, has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement of the membership of the Elective Care Expert Group, a key step towards expanding surgical hubs across Wales to increase protected operating capacity and help reduce NHS waiting times.

The Expert Group will bring together senior surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists and NHS Wales operational leaders to 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.   

Professor Jon Barry, RCS England Director for Wales, has been appointed to the Group, bringing experience as both a practising surgeon and College Council member to inform the development of new surgical hubs across Wales.

RCS England has long called for the expansion of surgical hubs across Wales. Our 2025 UK Surgical Workforce Census found that over 60% of Welsh respondents identified access to operating theatres as a major challenge - the highest proportion anywhere in the UK. 

Commenting on the announcement, Professor Jon Barry, Director in Wales at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said:

“I am delighted to see progress on the Elective Care Expert Group and honoured to join colleagues from the health sector.

“Surgeons are ready to deliver more operations, reduce waiting lists and eliminate the longest waits, but we need the protected capacity that surgical hubs provide.

“As a member of the Expert Group, I will work to ensure hubs are located where they are needed most and provide the right mix of specialties for patients.”

“Wales has fallen behind other parts of the UK in delivering this protected operating capacity. The Expert Group is an opportunity to close that gap and ensure patients receive treatment sooner.” 

Surgical hub expansion was a central recommendation in RCS England's 2026 Senedd Manifesto, which called for the establishment of a Hub Implementation Group bringing together NHS Wales organisations, clinical leaders and Royal Colleges to determine locations and specialty focus for future hubs.

Expansion of surgical hubs attracted cross-party support during the Senedd election, including a commitment from the new Welsh Government to implement RCS England’s recommendations.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. RCS England 2026 Senedd Manifesto: Senedd Manifesto 2026 — Royal College of Surgeons
2. RCS England 2025 UK Surgical Workforce Census: 2025 UK Surgical Workforce Census — Royal College of Surgeons
3. Plaid Cymru’s 2026 Manifesto stated the commitment to “Implement recommendations from the Royal College of Surgeons to deliver 10 new surgical hubs. These will be dedicated to providing high volume treatment in specialisms where patients are experiencing some of the longest waits, including ophthalmology, orthopaedics and general surgery.” The full manifesto is available here: For Wales - The Party of Wales
4. Plaid Cymru’s First 100 Days document included the action to “Convene an Elective Care Task and Finish Group, comprised of relevant experts, which will be responsible for developing a delivery plan, to be published by the end of 2026, on establishing up to ten new elective care hubs across Wales”. The full document is available here: Foreword - Party of Wales
5. The full membership list of the Elective Care Expert Group is outlined here: Expert group to plan new surgery hubs to cut NHS waiting times | Welsh Government News
6. The Royal College of Surgeons of England provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams at all stages of their careers. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research, and championing the best outcomes for patients.   
7. For more information, please contact the RCS England press office: telephone: 020 7869 6053/6054/6047; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.