A long-awaited new hospital unit is expected to finally press ahead following years of delays as the Welsh Government has confirmed a £33m investment at the historic Royal Alexandra hospital site in Rhyl. The newly purpose-built facility will feature a minor injuries unit capable of treating over 20,000 patients annually, helping to alleviate pressure on the nearby emergency department at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. A 14-bed ready-to-go-home reablement unit will also form part of the new building, bringing together NHS and social care teams to deliver care for patients returning home following medical and surgical treatment. Radiology services will be expanded in Rhyl, whilst four new dental suites will enhance access to NHS dental care. Additional training opportunities for dental nurses will also be introduced. The Welsh Government confirmed that the £33m new build, due for completion in 2027, represents the first phase of a £60m investment in the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here A business case for phase two, which will focus on redeveloping and improving the existing hospital, will be submitted separately by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, reports North Wales Live . The First Minister and Health Secretary announced funding for the new development ahead of the Welsh Government’s Cabinet meeting in Wrexham later today. Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar has condemned both the lengthy delay and the fact that the scheme has been “downsized”. In 2013, plans for a £22m hospital in the seaside town received Welsh Government backing, with the proposed 30-bed facility originally due to open in 2016. Last month, emergency departments across Wales recorded their worst ever waiting time figures. First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “This long-term investment in health services in Rhyl will cut the amount of time people wait in emergency department, increase the number of inpatients and result in people being able to return home faster after treatment in hospital. “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.” Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, added: “I’m really pleased to confirm this funding for the redevelopment of the Royal Alex. Rhyl is a popular holiday destination, which means NHS services work hard to meet the needs of local residents and visitors all year round. “This funding will provide a fantastic new minor injuries and ailments unit and a new reablement unit, bringing health and social care together under one roof, helping people recover and feel supported so they can get back home.” In a joint statement, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Chair Dyfed Edwards and CEO Carol Shillabeer said: “We are delighted to have received the approval of our business case from Welsh Government. This means we can now progress with the preparatory work and construction of this important new facility. “It will not only benefit our community in Rhyl and the surrounding areas, but also provide services that will relieve some of the pressures on Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. We would like to acknowledge the support and partnership of Denbighshire County Council and other partners in the third sector, together with the overwhelming support we saw from local people in our consultations. “This new building will be a focus for the community and signals our commitment to bringing services closer to where people live in North Wales.” Denbighshire County Council Leader Jason McLellan said: “This significant investment in the Royal Alexandra Hospital marks a major step forward for health and social care in Denbighshire. This modern health and wellbeing hub includes reablement beds and a minor injuries unit, which will improve the healthcare provision for the people of Rhyl and surrounding areas.” However, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar cautioned: “Rather than easing pressure on Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, there is a real danger that insufficient capacity will limit its effectiveness and add further pressure to the staffing issues we are already experiencing. “Healthcare capacity in North Wales is at breaking point. Patients are waiting in Accident and Emergency for days on end and languishing on waiting lists for months or even years. Quite simply, we need more beds. “Pressures on the health service in North Wales are much greater than they were when the new hospital was originally proposed, so the scaled-back plans currently before us are totally unacceptable.” Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
Original source: gb