The opening of the new orthopaedic hub at Llandudno Hospital has been delayed for a fifth time, with the facility now expected to begin treating patients before the end of the year.

The £29.4 million project was originally planned to open in early 2025 and is designed to increase the number of planned orthopaedic operations carried out in North Wales, particularly hip and knee procedures.

The Health Board says the latest delay is linked to the comprehensive checks needed before the facility can safely begin treating patients. These include testing its systems, equipment and environmental controls.

The project has faced a series of delays. Earlier in 2026, Betsi Cadwaladr said the development had been affected by the complexity of delivering the scheme on a live hospital site. Previous updates had also highlighted issues around staffing and operational readiness.

The hub will include two theatres, additional beds and an enhanced recovery unit. Betsi Cadwaladr says it is intended to provide around 1,900 procedures a year and allow more planned surgery to take place away from the pressures of emergency hospital care.

Once operational, orthopaedic procedures currently carried out at Abergele are expected to move to the new facility, allowing the service to operate for more weeks of the year and increase surgical capacity. Patients will still be able to have surgery at their local district general hospital where appropriate.

The delays have attracted concern from local politicians, including Bangor Conwy Môn Member of the Welsh Parliament Janet Finch-Saunders.

She said the facility was intended to take pressure off existing hospitals and reduce waiting lists, adding that patients who had already waited months or years for treatment needed to see the hub opened.

She also claimed that a senior clinician had told her that the existing orthopaedic theatre at Abergele was averaging 12 operating sessions a week against a target of 20.

However, she acknowledged that the final checks were necessary, saying: “While it is essential that these rigorous checks are undertaken, they should have been factored into the original opening date.”

The need for additional orthopaedic capacity in North Wales has been recognised for several years. An Audit Wales review found that short-term surgical cancellations had been affected by unscheduled care pressures and wider capacity issues, while the Llandudno hub was intended to help protect planned operations from those pressures.

There have also been improvements in orthopaedic waiting times. Welsh Government figures presented to the Senedd in February showed an 81% reduction in the number of orthopaedic pathways waiting more than two years, although the new Llandudno facility had still not opened.

The Health Board says the priority now is to complete the remaining checks and ensure the hub is safe, fully equipped and ready to provide care before patients are brought in.