Timing of Trading Update

Smith & Nephew Plc
17 December 2003

                       Timing of Smith & Nephew Pre-Close
                                 Trading Update

17 December 2003

Smith & Nephew plc will be issuing its pre-close trading update announcement on
Thursday 18 December at 2pm GMT/9am EST.  This will be followed by a pre-close
briefing of financial analysts by conference call at 3pm GMT/10am EST, and can
be heard live via webcast on the Smith & Nephew website at www.smith-nephew.com

About Us

Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN, NYSE:SNN) is one of the world's leading medical devices
companies, specialising in Orthopaedics, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound
Management.  Smith & Nephew ranks as the global leader in arthroscopy and
advanced wound management and is the fastest growing full-line orthopaedics
company in the world.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives.  The company
prides itself in the strength of its relationships with its surgeon and
healthcare professional customers, with whom its name is synonymous with the
highest standards of performance, innovation and trust.  The company has over
7,500 employees and operates in 32 countries around the world, generating sales
of £1.1 billion.


Enquiries:

Smith & Nephew
Peter Nind                              Tel: [phone]
Corporate Affairs Manager

Financial Dynamics
David Yates                             Tel: [phone]


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange