There Has Been Significant Continued Progress in Reducing Waiting
Times for Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery at the South West
Acute Hospital Swah), the Department of Health Has Confirmed.
This Is Part of Wider Efforts to Expand Elective Capacity and
Improve Access for Patients Across Northern Ireland.
Utilising Independent Sector Capacity Alongside Improvements in
Theatre Efficiency, the Swah Programme Is Enabling More Patients
to Receive Timely Access to Life-changing Joint Replacement
Surgery. Many Patients Are Now Discharged on the Same Day of
Surgery or Early the Following Morning, Supported by Streamlined
Theatre Pathways, Enhanced Physiotherapy and Strengthened
Post-operative Recovery Arrangements. A Robust Follow-up Pathway
Ensures Continuity of Care and Appropriate Escalation Routes.
Health Minister Visited Swah to Meet Staff and
Patients Benefiting from Hip and Knee Surgery. During the Visit,
the Minister Observed Patient Flow Through Theatre, Recovery and
Rehabilitation, Hearing First-hand How Effective and Efficient
the Model Has Become for Patients Requiring Major Joint Surgery.
The Minister Said: I Have Been Determined to Reduce the Waiting
Lists for Hip and Knee Surgery so Patients Can Experience the
Profound and Often Life-altering Reduction in Pain That the
Procedures Can Deliver. For Many, Receiving Surgery Not Only
Eliminates Chronic Pain, but It Also Restores Their Mobility and
Allows a Much Greater Quality of Life.
These Results Show That Meaningful Progress Is Possible When All
Parts of the System Work Together with a Shared Focus on
Patients. By Improving the Way Theatres Are Used and Making Full
Use of Available Capacity, Including the Independent Sector, We
Are Reducing Long Waits and Helping People Regain Mobility and
Quality of Life.
Reducing Waiting Lists Is a Key Priority for My Department. With
the Support of Professor and Clinical Colleagues in
Every Trust, We Are Building a More Resilient Elective System
That Is Better Able to Meet Current and Future Demand.”
A Key Driver of Progress Has Been the Relentless Focus on
Maximising Surgical Throughput and Performance. The Increase in
Waiting List Activity Coupled with Increased Theatre Productivity
Is Having a Positive Impact on Waiting Times. The Number of
Patients Who Were Projected to Be Waiting over 6 Years for a
Primary Joint Replacement by 31 March 2026 Have Reduced by 76%
and the Number of Patients Projected to Be Waiting over 4 Years
Have Reduced by 65% As at the End of December 2025.
Swah Has Been Able to Deliver Major Joint Procedures Knee and
Hip) on a Single Extended Full Day List, Maximising Capacity and
Ensuring That Available Theatre Time Is Fully Used for Patient
Benefit.
It Is Expected That Approximately 550 Primary Joint Replacements
Will Be Delivered at Swah in the Current Financial Year, with
Around 430 Already Completed Between April 2025 and Mid-january
This Year. This Activity Highlights Swah's Contribution As a Key
Elective Site and Reflects the Department's Ongoing Work to
Reduce Long Waits for Orthopaedic Surgery.
The Swah Regional Orthopaedic Programme Forms Part of the
Elective Care Framework Which Sets out Plans to Expand Elective
Surgical Capacity, Improve Productivity and Reduce Long Waits.
The Department Continues to Work with Trusts, Clinical Leaders
and the Independent Sector to Embed Best Practice Models, Drive
Efficiency and Build Long-term Elective Resilience.
