Patients undergoing major heart surgery in Swansea Bay are set to benefit from a £1m investment in state-of-the-art equipment at Morriston Hospital — replacing ageing machines the cardiac team had been keeping alive with parts stripped from one of their own.
The hospital’s perfusion department has received four new heart and lung machines, funded by the Welsh Government.
Also known as cardiopulmonary bypass pumps, the machines temporarily take over the function of the heart and lungs during open-heart surgery — allowing surgeons to perform complex, life-saving procedures safely.
They are operated by specialist perfusionists, who circulate and oxygenate the blood, remove carbon dioxide, regulate temperature and manage clotting medications — while monitoring vital signs including blood gases and electrolytes to keep patients stable throughout surgery.
The technology is essential for procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafts and heart valve replacements, when the heart must be temporarily stopped.
The new machines replace equipment more than 15 years old, which had become increasingly costly and difficult to maintain — to the point where the team had been cannibalising one machine to keep the others running.
Senior clinical perfusionist Ian Bennett said: “Our previous machines had served us well, but they were showing obvious signs of age.
“Maintenance costs were rising and replacement parts were becoming difficult to source. We’ve even had to use one machine for spare parts to keep the others running.
“With two cardiac theatres operating, having limited equipment created additional challenges. These new machines give us improved reliability and resilience, which is vital for such a critical service.
“It is also great the Welsh Government thought well enough of us to make this investment in Swansea Bay.”
The new technology offers enhanced monitoring, more sensitive software and touchscreen interfaces — enabling more accurate, real-time data collection during procedures, reducing the need for manual input and helping to minimise the risk of human error.
“It has been a learning curve, but the advantages are clear,” Mr Bennett added. “We now have greater control and visibility during procedures, with more precise monitoring that supports both patient care and ongoing quality improvement.”
Morriston is a major cardiac centre serving Swansea Bay and a large area of mid and west Wales, delivering a wide range of routine, complex and emergency procedures.
Three of the replaced machines will be sold at auction, with the funds returned to the health board — while the fourth will support academic research.
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