New Hospital Unit Planned for Denbighshire
A new hospital unit is set to be constructed in Denbighshire as part of ongoing efforts to enhance NHS services in north Wales.
The £33 million healthcare facility will be located at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl and will feature a minor injuries unit capable of treating over 20,000 patients annually.
This development aims to alleviate pressure on the emergency department at the nearby Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, reduce waiting times, and enable more patients to return home sooner following treatment.
However, concerns have been raised regarding delays to the project, which was initially approved more than ten years ago, as well as the reduced scale of the current proposals.
Details of the New Facility
The new unit, expected to be completed next year, will include a 14-bed ready-to-go-home reablement unit. This unit will facilitate collaboration between NHS and social care teams to support patients transitioning back home after receiving medical and surgical treatment in hospital.
In addition, radiology services will be expanded, and four new dental suites will be constructed, providing increased training opportunities for dental nurses.
This project represents the first phase of a broader £60 million investment in the hospital. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board plans to submit a business case for the second phase, which involves redeveloping and improving the existing hospital buildings.
Background and Project History
Plans to develop a new hospital on the Royal Alexandra site were initially approved in 2013. However, by 2018, estimated costs had doubled, and the plans were subsequently halted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has stated that rising costs rendered the original proposal unaffordable.
Official Statements and Reactions
First Minister Eluned Morgan commented on the investment, stating:
"This investment is part of the Welsh government's action to transform healthcare in north Wales, modernising facilities and working smarter so people can be treated closer to home."
Welsh Conservative MS Darren Millar expressed criticism, saying:
"I'm afraid this is too little too late. It's been over 13 years since this project was initially promised and it's been promised in the run up to elections ever since."
Reform UK's James Evans MS described the funding as:
"the culmination of over a decade of false promises"
and added that:
"the funding on offer falls short of what the Welsh government had originally pledged".
Plaid Cymru health spokesperson Mabon ap Gwynfor MS acknowledged the investment but noted:
"the people of north Wales have been waiting too long for this announcement" while facing worsening health standards and pressure on other hospitals.
