The design, which was undertaken by William Simpson using a nucleus layout which was capable of expansion,[4] was announced in December 1976 and planning permission granted in March 1978.

[6] The Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, which was designed to provide care for the whole population of 2.3 million across West, Mid and South Wales, moved to the site from St Lawrence Hospital, Chepstow in 1994.

[7] In 2015 the Health Board announced plans to expand the site with focus exclusively on the care of the sickest patients.

In addition to general surgical and medical services, Morriston houses the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery.

The Centre specialises in operations on the heart, lungs and chest for the South West Wales region.