FORM 6-K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 December 17, 2003 Commission File Number 001-14978 SMITH & NEPHEW plc (Registrant's name) 15 Adam Street London, England WC2N 6LA (Address of registrant's principal executive offices) [Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.] Form 20-F X Form 40-F ----- ----- [Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).] Yes No X ----- ----- [Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7).] Yes No X ----- ----- [Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2 (b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.] Yes No X ----- ----- If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2 (b) : 82- n/a. Total Pages: 3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. Smith & Nephew plc (Registrant) Date: December 17, 2003 By: /s/ Paul Chambers ----------------------- Paul Chambers Company Secretary Smith & Nephew plc T 44 (0) 207 401 7476 We are Smith & Nephew 15 Adam Street F 44 (0) 207 960 2350 London WC2N 6LA www.smith-nephew.com England 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, which 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 (GBP)1.1 billion. Enquiries: Smith & Nephew Peter Nind Tel: +44 (0)20 7401 7646 Corporate Affairs Manager Financial Dynamics David Yates Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113 News