Restarting Our Services
Please note this webpage is currently under development.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have continued to provide urgent care and treatments for our patients, although many of our more routine appointments and treatments were postponed.
We have been slowly restarting many of the services that were put on hold, although the way they are now running may have changed to help us ensure we keep our staff and patients safe.
In line with other NHS organisations, we will be scheduling patient’s treatment in order of clinical priority. However, patients will need to be prepared for longer waits than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please click on a service below to check for the latest updated information.
Our GP surgeries are still open, but the way you see your GP may be different. When needed, a face-to-face appointment will be available but you may be offered a video, email or telephone consultation instead. Depending on your need, you may be asked to speak to another member of our Primary Care team who may be better suited to help you.
The GP Receptionist will ask you a series of questions about your condition, to help ensure you are seeing the right person, first time. This is because the right person for your condition, may be another member of our Primary Care team. You can find out more about our Primary Care team and who your Primary Choice is, by visiting this dedicated webpage.
Within GP surgeries, it is still advised that you wear a mask both in the waiting and consulting rooms and follow any guidance that the surgery has in place. This is to protect you, other patients and surgery staff.
NHS dental practices across Cardiff and Vale will continue to provide dental care in accordance with Welsh Government Dental Guidance.
If you are wishing to register with an NHS dentist across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, you can now register yourself onto the General Dental Services waiting list. You can access this registration form by clicking here*. Upon completion of this form, you will be automatically added to the waiting list and will be contacted by a practice near your home address when a space becomes available.
If you require emergency dental treatment or advice, you can call our emergency dental line on 0300 10 20 247.
*Please note, this form is for Cardiff and Vale residents only.
Your local Optometrist is your Primary Choice for all conditions relating to eye health.
If you have a problem with your vision, or are experiencing any eye pain, injury or swelling, your local Optometrist has the equipment and experience to examine, diagnose, treat and help manage your eyecare needs.
To find your local optician within Cardiff and Vale, please visit this webpage.
Pharmacies will be open as normal and should be your primary choice for advice on minor illnesses. Please remember to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidance when visiting your pharmacy.
For advice, information or over-the-counter medication for a minor illness, your Primary Choice should be your community pharmacist.
Community pharmacists have an extensive knowledge of medicines, how they work, how to take them, how they may affect you and how they interact with any other medication you take.
You can also access a range of different services at community pharmacies across Cardiff and Vale, including the Smoking Cessation Service, Oral Contraception Service and Minor Ailments Service.
Our gastroenterology and hepatology service provides care to treat and prevent gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) and hepatological (liver, gallbladder, biliary tree and pancreas) diseases.
Last updated 09/05/22
- All services are currently running with no services postponed.
- The service is running at reduced capacity to allow current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- A mixture of virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients.
For more information on Gastroenterology & Hepatology please visit: https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/our-services/gastroenterology-hepatology-and-endoscopy/
Last updated 16/05/22
Endoscopy is critical to the diagnosis of oesophageal and gastric cancers.
Current Service Status:
- All services are currently running with no services postponed.
- The service is running at reduced capacity to allow current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- A mixture of virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients.
For more information on Endoscopy please visit: https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/our-services/gastroenterology-hepatology-and-endoscopy/
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
Our Endoscopy service has been running additional clinics so this may mean you are invited for your appointment during a weekend. Please read your appointment letter carefully before attending.
Last updated 16/05/22
Current Service Status:
- All services provided by the Welsh Gender Service are running at full capacity.
- A mixture of virtual, telephone and face-to-face appointments is being offered to patients.
To contact the Welsh Gender Service please call their reception on 029 2183 6619 or email: cav.wgs_enquiries@wales.nhs.uk.
Last updated 16/05/22
Our dermatology service is responsible for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dermatological (skin) conditions.
Current Service Status:
- The majority of services are running, however the laser service is currently paused.
- This service is running at reduced capacity to allow for current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients.
Contacting the service:
- If you have been referred and are waiting for an appointment, please call: 02920 744619.
- If you are known to the service with dressings or long-term conditions that you need advice on, please call the Dermatology Day Unit Treatment Centre: 02921 848731.
Leaflets on many dermatological conditions can be accessed from BAD Patient Hub and DermNet NZ.
Last updated 16/05/22
Our rheumatology service is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of arthritic and rheumatic diseases.
Current Service Status:
- All services are currently running with no services postponed.
- This service is running at reduced capacity to allow for current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients.
Contacting the service:
If you are known to the service and require advice or help regarding flare ups or infusions, please call: 02920 748 191
Last updated 16/05/22
This service focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the respiratory system, which includes the nose, throat, larynx, windpipe, lungs and the diaphragm.
Current Service Status:
- All services are currently running with no services postponed.
- The service is running at reduced capacity to allow current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients.
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
Throughout the pandemic we have used digital technology to provide treatment closer to home. This may mean you are offered an appointment virtually via your smartphone or tablet. This includes digital technology and apps being used as part of your treatment plan, if you have any questions please speak to your clinical team.
Last updated 16/05/22
Our ENT service is responsible for investigating, diagnosing and treating disorders and defects of the ears, nose (including sinuses), throat, head and neck.
Current Service Status:
- This service is running with reduced capacity to allow for current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- There is a waiting list in place for procedures and surgery for routine benign patients is currently paused due to the service’s reduced capacity.
- For procedures requiring specialist consultations there are longer waiting times due to the impact of social distancing measures on capacity.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients. The service is also using the Consultant Connect app to triage patients virtually.
To contact the ENT team please call 02920 746460 between the hours of 9am and 4pm.
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
The Health Board is working in partnership with St Joseph’s Hospital to allow for more patients to be seen, so this means you may be invited to attend your appointment at St Joseph’s Hospital, Newport. Please read your appointment letter carefully before attending.
Last updated 16/05/22
Our Ophthalmology services diagnose, treat and prevent disorders of the eyes and visual system, using medical and surgical skills.
Current Service Status:
- All services are currently running with no services postponed.
- The service is operating at around 75% capacity to allow for current COVID-19 and infection control measures to be followed.
- The service is offering face-to-face appointments only.
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
- The service has commissioned two new mobile theatres dedicated to cataract treatment on the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) site. If you are waiting for cataract surgery it is likely that you will have your procedure in one of these theatres. Please read your appointment letter carefully before attending.
- From April 2022, further glaucoma, age macular degeneration and oculoplastic services is being provided from the Cardiff School of Optometry and Vision Services.
Last updated 16/05/22
Current Service Status:
- All services are currently running at full capacity with no services postponed.
- The service is offering face-to-face appointments only.
- Patients are being seen in order of priority, with urgent patients prioritised and non-urgent patients being seen within a reasonable timeframe.
To contact the Breast service please call 02921 825742 between the hours of 9am to 5pm.
Last updated 16/05/22
Current Service Status:
- The service is running at reduced capacity to allow current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- Routine benign capacity is reduced as patients are being prioritised according to their clinical priority.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients.
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
The Health Board is working in partnership with St Joseph’s Hospital to allow for more patients to be seen, so this means you may be invited to attend your appointment at St Joseph’s Hospital, Newport. Please read your appointment letter carefully before attending.
Last updated 16/05/22
Our upper GI team provides surgical services for conditions of the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, pancreas and gallbladder.
Current Service Status:
- The service is running at reduced capacity to allow current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- Routine benign capacity is reduced as patients are being prioritised according to their clinical priority.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients. Follow-up appointments are offered virtually dependent on a patient’s clinical need.
Last updated 16/05/22
Our lower GI service treats diseases of the lower gastrointestinal tract, most commonly in the bowel and small intestine.
Current Service Status:
- The service is running at reduced capacity to allow current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- Routine benign capacity is reduced as patients are being prioritised according to their clinical priority.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients. Follow-up appointments are offered virtually dependent on a patient’s clinical need.
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
A community hub for pelvic health has been established at Barry Hospital to help increase the service’s capacity. Please read your appointment letter carefully before attending.
Last updated 16/05/22
Our HPB service provides care for people with liver, pancreatic, biliary and gall bladder disorders.
Current Service Status:
- The service is running at reduced capacity to allow current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- Routine benign capacity is reduced as patients are being prioritised according to their clinical priority.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients. Follow-up appointments are offered virtually dependent on a patient’s clinical need.
Last updated 16/05/22
Our endocrine service provides care for patients with a broad range of hormone-related diseases.
Current Service Status:
- The service is running at reduced capacity to allow current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- Routine benign capacity is reduced as patients are being prioritised according to their clinical priority.
- The service is offering face-to-face appointments only.
Last updated 16/05/22
Current Service Status:
- The service is running at reduced capacity to allow current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- Routine benign capacity is reduced as patients are being prioritised according to their clinical priority.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients, including using the Attend Anywhere video consultation service.
Last updated 16/05/22
The Neurosurgery service cares for patients with disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, skull and spine.
Current Service Status:
- All services are currently running with no services postponed.
- The service is running at reduced capacity to allow current COVID-19 measures to be followed.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients.
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
All outpatient appointments take place at either Rookwood Hospital or University Hospital Llandough (UHL). Please read your appointment letter carefully before attending.
Last updated 16/05/22
Current Service Status:
- All services are currently running at full capacity with no services postponed.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients.
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
All outpatient appointments take place at either Rookwood Hospital or University Hospital Llandough (UHL). Please read your appointment letter carefully before attending.
Last updated 16/05/22
The Neurophysiology Department diagnoses and monitors conditions affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems and eyes such as epilepsy, nerve entrapments, and visual disorders.
Current Service Status:
- All services are currently running at full capacity with no services postponed.
- All appointments are face to face.
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
All patients are contacted the day before their appointment to complete a COVID-19 safety checklist.
Last updated 16/05/22
Current Service Status:
- All services are currently running at full capacity with no services postponed.
- A mixture of face-to-face, virtual and/or telephone appointments are being offered to patients.
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
- Cardiothoracic surgery has been re-located to University Hospital Llandough (UHL) so your surgery will take place there. The Health Board is currently in the planning stages of relocating the service back to University Hospital of Wales (UHW).
- The service has been running additional clinics at the weekend in order to create additional capacity, so this may mean you are invited for your appointment during a weekend. Please read your appointment letter carefully before attending.
Last updated 16/05/22
Current Service Status:
- All services are currently running at full capacity with no services postponed.
- All new patients are seen face-to-face.
- Follow up patients are seen either face-to-face or virtually dependent on clinical need.
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
Cardiothoracic surgery has been re-located to University Hospital Llandough (UHL) so your surgery will take place there. The Health Board is currently in the planning stages of re-locating the service back to University Hospital of Wales (UHW).
Last updated 16/05/22
Current Service Status:
- All services are currently running at full capacity with no services postponed.
- All appointments are face to face.
Key service changes in response to COVID-19:
The service is currently running some clinics at Spire Hospital to maintain activity levels whilst one of the laboratories at UHW is being refurbished, so this may mean you are invited for your appointment at Spire Hospital. Please read your appointment letter carefully before attending.
Last updated 16/05/22
All mental health services remain open as usual, including 24 hour crisis services and all liaison services into mainly physical health care settings such as GP practices, the Emergency Unit and Care Homes.
Routine services such as outpatients and psychotherapeutic groups are accessible. Face-to-face contact between service users and our staff teams will continue take place only where necessary.
View information on self-help and guidance, including the free availability of the ‘SilverCloud’ self-referral support package, where appropriate.
