FOUR out of five patients in Wales who have waited more than 18 months for orthopaedic surgery are from Gwent, according to NHS figures.

However, the number is falling, and Gwent health bosses hope to have eliminated such waits by the end of February.

This involves treating 120 patients at Cardiff's BUPA hospital, and at centres in England.

By December 31, 2002, 155 people in Wales had waited more than 18 months for orthopaedic surgery, 125 of whom were from Gwent.

The Gwent figure was down from 141 at the end of November, and 173 from October 31.

The latter figure prompted Assembly health minister Jane Hutt to appoint troubleshooter professor Brian Edwards to review Gwent's orthopaedic services.

Professor Edwards reported on Wednesday, recommending a mixture of new investment - up to £8m - and tighter management to bring down waiting times.

Ms Hutt will not unveil her response to the findings until February 26 but, meanwhile, the battle continues in Gwent to wipe out orthopaedic treatment waits of more than 18 months.

As well as buying treatment from BUPA Cardiff, the trust uses Medinet, a Newport firm that relocates patients to other hospitals where space is available.

Managing director Peter Jeffreys said Medinet is currently treating Gwent orthopaedic patients in England, "and will do so until the end of March".

A lack of orthopaedic capacity, in terms of surgeons and theatres, is a long-standing problem in Gwent .

Gwent Healthcare Trust has used Medinet, set up in 2000, to provide treatment and outpatient clinics for orthopaedic and other patients.

"We've done at least 60 (orthopaedic patients) recently for Gwent," said Mr Jeffreys.

"They've gone to hospitals in Torbay, Gloucester, and the West Midlands. They are hip and knee patients who have all been long waiters.

"Professor Edwards has confirmed Gwent has a capacity problem. More people are being put on the list than they are able to treat."

There are more than 13,000 people waiting for an orthopaedic outpatient appointment in Gwent. The aim is to bring the maximum wait for such an appointment down to three years by the end of March.

* In the picture: Surgeon Andrew Grant carries out a knee replacement at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport.