Major award for digital platform that cuts orthopaedic waiting lists

A new initiative that helps reduce wating lists for orthopaedic surgery in Swansea Bay has won a major award.

The Orthopaedic Waiting List Initiative focuses on improving the fitness of patients before they face surgery (prehabilitation), which reduces the chances of operations being cancelled or not as successful as they could have been.

The project uses a customised digital platform to monitor patients’ health, identify deterioration and provide rehabilitation support to those on waiting lists.

This obviously makes life easier for the patient while also saving money for the NHS in the long run.

The fitter a patient is before surgery, the greater the chances of a better recovery and successful outcome.

It has now been recognised through the Award for Digital and Technology Innovation category in the Advancing Healthcare Awards Cymru 2025.

The innovative approach, created in collaboration with technology partner Pro-Mapp limited, also allows patients to flag up any health symptoms while awaiting surgery, and receive personalised lifestyle support.

It can also directs those with greater health needs to the appropriate therapy service and detects any health conditions which need intervention.

Examples include people who smoke being offered help to quit, those with a high BMI referred to supervised weigh management services, and others offered a range of online self-management support.

Launched in 2023, more than 5,000 patients have already benefitted from the data and there is a lot of potential to roll it out to support other specialities.

It has already won the Technology and Digital Impact Award at the Medi Wales Innovation Awards 2024.

Dr Cat Cromey (above), Consultant Anaesthetist and Clinical Lead for Peri-operative Medicine, has been instrumental in driving the project forward alongside Swansea Bay Physiotherapist, Chris Lambert.

She said: “We’re delighted to win the award and can’t wait to expand the project to ensure that all patients awaiting surgery in Swansea Bay have access to this service to help them to improve their health and wellbeing in preparation for their operation. 

“This will ultimately improve their chances of a successful surgical outcome and better long-term health. 

“The fantastic team lead by Chris Lambert and comprising physiotherapy, dietetics and lifestyle medicine, patient pathway services, pre-assessment nursing and perioperative medicine continue to work together with the developers at Pro-Mapp to expand the service and reach even more patients. 

“We’re working with the digital and transformation teams in Swansea Bay to plan the next steps for the project and look forward to seeing the impact that this can have on patients waiting for surgery and the staff who are working to improve their preoperative journey and their health whilst they wait.”

Swansea Bay physiotherapist, Chris Lambert, has been instrumental in the project.

Reflecting on the win he said: “I’m so proud that the OWLi platform has been recognised with the Digital Technology Advancing Healthcare Award.

“Since 2022, our health board has partnered with Pro-mapp Ltd to transform how we manage patients awaiting Orthopaedic surgery.

“Behind the platform is a team of Swansea Bay professionals who have worked hard to build an innovative digital solution that not only monitors health and stratifies risk but also connects patients to vital support services to help them prepare for surgery.”

SBUHB Deputy Chief Executive and Medical Director, Dr Richard Evans, said: “I am absolutely delighted that this initiative has been recognised in this way.

“Getting people ready for surgery has huge benefits and results in fewer complications and a quicker recovery. The team’s hard work has shown how beneficial this is.”

Main pic: Chris Lambert and Lowri Ridings (Prehabilitation Business manager- admin lead on OWLi)