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Hywel Dda team scoops two national awards for digital innovation in patient care
A GROUNDBREAKING digital prehabilitation programme run by Hywel Dda University Health Board has won two national awards for its innovative approach to preparing patients mentally and physically for elective surgery.
The health board's Virtual Orthopaedic Prehabilitation and Optimisation Team won the Maximising Digitalisation category at the Welsh Government's 3Ps Healthcare Awards, held recently in Cardiff. Judges praised the team's use of online health, fitness, and wellbeing sessions to deliver personalised care to patients awaiting orthopaedic surgery.
The programme's potential for wider use across Wales also earned it the coveted Overall Winner award.
One person who has benefited from the programme is 80-year-old former teacher and journalist, Stella Nicholls, from Milford Haven (Pictured).
Stella, who had endured years of hip pain, was unable to enjoy everyday activities like gardening, socialising, or attending the theatre. But after taking part in the award-winning programme, she underwent a successful hip replacement at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli in January 2025—and is now pain-free and enjoying life once more.
Stella was referred to the Prehabilitation and Optimisation Team after joining the waiting list for surgery. Eight months ahead of her operation, the team helped her make lifestyle changes—such as lowering her Body Mass Index (BMI) and increasing physical activity—to reduce the risk of delay and improve her recovery.
'I was invited to take part in an online course run by the Prehabilitation and Optimisation Team,' said Stella. 'It was a 12-week programme of video sessions with a small group of patients like me, all waiting for orthopaedic surgery.
'We were guided by team members through home-based physiotherapy sessions and weekly talks covering diet, mood, pain management, fatigue, and what to expect before, during and after surgery.'
Stella said the course was not only informative but emotionally supportive: 'We became like a little family. I looked forward to the sessions and noticed improvements in my mobility and pain levels within weeks. The dietary changes also helped me lose a considerable amount of weight.'
She added: 'Being on this course gave me hope. When you're in severe pain and on a long waiting list, you can feel forgotten. This programme made me feel seen and supported. I'm certain I went into surgery in a far better state than I would have otherwise.'
Jeremy Miles presents the awards to the Virtual Orthopaedic Prehabilitation and Optimisation team (Image: HDUHB)
Rebecca Bowen, Clinical Lead Dietitian for the team, said: 'The 12-week programme supports the Welsh Government's 3Ps policy—Promote healthy behaviours, Prevent worsening health, and Prepare patients for treatment and recovery. We want patients to wait well and avoid last-minute cancellations. Stella's story is a brilliant example of what can be achieved.'
For more information on preparing for surgery, contact the Waiting List Support Service on 0300 303 8322, option 3.

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