Major plan for new University Hospital of Wales appears to have stalled
In 2021 the health board said work to build a new hospital could start this year but that appears to have been pushed back
University Hospital of Wales in Heath, Cardiff
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
Plans to replace the dilapidated main hospital for Wales appear to hang in the balance as neither the health board in charge nor Welsh Government can explain what progress has been made In 2021 the health board announced it wanted to start building a replacement for Wales' largest hospital.
At that time it was said work could start in 2025 and be finished three years later but no details of whether it would be built at the existing site University Hospital of Wales (UHW) site in Cardiff or at another location were given. At that stage a £107m price tag was put on the plans to replace UHW, which was built between 1962 and 1971.
The health board's then-chief executive of strategic planning Abigail Harris said: "The time is right to look at the facilities we need for the future."
It was said then that Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, which runs UHW, had asked the Welsh Government for funding to draw up detailed plans to replace the hospital with a new one. University Hospital Llandough was also to be refurbished and extended. You can read the detail from the 2021 WalesOnline report here.
Last week First Minister Eluned Morgan was asked for an update about the hospital's plans. Independent MS Rhys ab Owen asked what plans were being looked in terms of a new hospital. She was unable to answer. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
We then went to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and the Welsh Government asking for any update and whether there are still plans for a new UHW to be built.
Article continues below
The Welsh Government responded: "Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is currently developing a plan for the future of both the University Hospital of Wales and University Hospital Llandough sites. Following this we will work with the health board about options and timelines."
When we asked whether there had been progress, or agreement on the funding plan, or whether progress had been made for proposed changes at Llandough, or whether there were still plans for a new UHW to be built, we were directed to the health board.
A health board spokesman failed to directly answer whether a new hospital was still being looked at or to offer any amended timetable for the original proposals from 2021 but said a condition survey about the hospital's condition was being carried out and "is expected to complete this year". That will, we were told, "help the health board identify options for estate development to support our clinical services plan including University Hospital of Wales and University Hospital Llandough".
Their statement in full said: "We are aware that the modernisation and maintenance issues are indicative of a national NHS ageing estate. Colleagues within our capital and estates team provide continuous maintenance and repair works to the hospital infrastructure, prioritising the health and safety of patients and colleagues. This is done in conjunction with and supported by Welsh Government estates and capital colleagues.
"The health board submitted a business case to Welsh Government in 2021 and has, with the support of Welsh Government, recently commissioned a condition survey to clarify estate priorities. The condition survey is expected to complete this year and will help the health board identify options for estate development to support our clinical services plan, including University Hospital of Wales and University Hospital Llandough.
"Cardiff and Vale University Health Board continue to work proactively with Welsh Government on a number of business case developments which are intended to improve the site infrastructure."
Article continues below
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
14 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Bevan Commission launches second wave of health innovations
The Bevan Commission, backed by the Welsh Government, has launched its second Adopt, Spread & Embed scheme, designed to expand proven healthcare improvements across NHS Wales. The programme aims to reduce waiting lists, improve outcomes, and deliver better value by transforming planned care services. Helen Howson, director of the Bevan Commission, said: "For too long, brilliant innovations developed locally have remained isolated pockets of excellence. "Our Adopt, Spread and Embed programme is about changing that by systematically taking what works best and making it available to everyone in Wales. "We have seen the profound positive impact these projects have on patients, staff, and NHS resources. "Now, it is time to ensure these benefits are felt right across the country. "This is about delivering more prudent, value-based healthcare that is both sustainable and equitable." Seven Bevan Exemplar projects have been selected for wider adoption, each showing clear improvements in care quality, efficiency, and patient experience. These include perioperative care for older patients, improved radiology pathways, and community-based gynaecology services. The selected projects have already demonstrated reduced waiting times, cost savings, and improved service capacity. The programme aligns with the Welsh Government's Innovation Strategy, which calls for the translation of successful innovations into system-wide improvements. It also supports the five key change priorities for the health service outlined by First Minister Eluned Morgan and cabinet secretary for health and social care Jeremy Miles. The Bevan Commission will now work with health boards across Wales and the NHS Planned Care team to roll out the selected projects. The programme will use international adoption science to provide a structured approach for embedding these changes and building a culture of continuous improvement.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
NHS staff in Wales vote to take strike action in pay dispute with Welsh Government
NHS staff in Wales vote to take strike action in pay dispute with Welsh Government Almost nine in 10 members of Unite working across the Welsh NHS have voted to take strike action in a dispute over pay NHS staff in Wales have voted for strike action over pay (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) NHS staff across Wales have voted for strike action over a pay dispute. Unite members have turned down a 3.6% pay rise and are ready to strike, urging the Welsh government to enhance its offer. An overwhelming majority of nearly nine in ten workers refused the pay proposal and are said to be willing to take industrial action. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, stated: "The government in Wales needs to address critical problems now, and the biggest is the pay and conditions of frontline workers without whom the NHS cannot survive. "Workers cannot wait any longer for decent pay and better conditions. "Any further exodus from the workplace will simply see the NHS in Wales fail to function. Article continues below "The Senedd needs to come back with an improved pay offer before it's too late." Unite is pressing the Welsh Government to initiate pay discussions with unions. Should there be no progress on pay talks, Unite has declared it will have to begin the formal process for an industrial action ballot. Potential industrial action could disrupt various services, including ambulance services where Unite boasts a significant number of members. The news comes just weeks after figures showed the longest hospital waiting times in Wales had risen again. You can read more about that here. Unite's lead health officer for Wales, Paul Seppman, said the primary intent was to get a better deal for workers. Article continues below "Our sincere desire is to negotiate a better and much deserved pay increase for our members and NHS staff but our members are prepared to take action if there is no improved award." The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Almost one in three 4-5-year-olds are overweight or obese in this Welsh county - here's the plan
Almost one in three 4-5-year-olds are overweight or obese in this Welsh county - here's the plan A 7-point plan has been put forward to try to deal with the issue which has been described as 'alarming' and one of the 'greatest public health challenges of our time' A view of Llanelli town centre. Schools in Llanelli and across Carmarthenshire will have to offer two hours of physical education per week in future (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) All primary schools in Carmarthenshire will have to offer two hours of physical education per week after council chiefs approved a hard-hitting report about childhood obesity levels. The report, which also urged action to get more youngsters swimming - including potentially reducing or ending transport costs to pools - made seven recommendations and was written by a council task and finish group. The group heard from public health experts and also reviewed studies and policies on childhood obesity. The key finding was that 31.4% of 4–5 year-olds were were overweight or obese in Carmarthenshire - a higher number than any other Welsh county - based on 2021-22 data. The Wales average was 27%. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here Introducing the report at a cabinet meeting on June 30, Cllr Gareth John, chairman of the task and finish group, described the data as "alarming" and said obesity was one the "greatest public health challenges of our time". He said: "As we all know, unhealthy lifestyle choices and behaviour significantly increase the possibility of developing chronic diseases and (are) a major cause of preventable disease and early death." Cllr John said the determinants affecting health were numerous and complex, but added: "However, everyone agrees that prevention is better than cure, and early and positive interventions around diet, movement and social networks play a key part." Article continues below The report found that fewer than half of 73 primary schools surveyed in Carmarthenshire complied with the recommended two hours of minimum time for physical education per week, with 23 offering 60 minutes or less. And only 34.8% of primary pupils in the Plaid-Independent-run authority attended swimming classes compared to 79.5% a decade ago. Cllr John said a healthy and balanced diet was critical, and that significant research showed the most effective preventable measure against ill health was being active. He said 87% of pre-school children in Carmarthenshire were below average or poor at things like jumping, running, throwing and catching, based on 2023 findings. "One fact that sticks in my mind - it's four times harder to change behaviour in Year 4 (8-9 year-olds) than at age four," said Cllr John. The report also drew on evidence showing a link between areas of deprivation and higher levels of childhood obesity. Cllr John - a former cabinet member himself - said the task and finish group had been "mightily impressed" with the number of initiatives in Carmarthenshire aimed at tackling obesity and sedentary lifestyles and felt it was imperative they continued. He said the group was mindful of financial pressures facing the council and was confident that its seven recommendations could be implemented without additional cost. The seven recommendations put forward by the group were: - All primary schools to provide two hours of high-quality physical education per week, backed by a thriving extra-curricular activity programme - Ensure every child to be able to swim 25m by the time they leave primary school and reduce/remove the cost of school swimming to schools - Ensure a thorough understanding of the current sport and physical activity infrastructure, to inform planned developments with funding routes in place or identified - Integrate actions with the council's local food strategy and the council-led food systems development project - Improve collaboration to make best use of resources - Collaborate across sectors to maximise benefit from existing programmes, networks, and opportunities for pre-school groups - Use the under-construction Pentre Awel health and research complex in Llanelli to address health inequalities and as a catalyst for change. Cabinet accepted six of the seven recommendations - the one about swimming will need to be considered further once a separate report about school transport costs, including transport costs for swimming classes, has been completed. Cllr Jane Tremlett, cabinet member for health and social services, said the task and finish group's report, which also had 37 recommended "sub-actions", was excellent. The proportion of obese and overweight children in the county was, she added, "a huge concern". Cllr Tremlett welcomed the work being done by the council's sports and leisure service, Actif, not just in leisure centres but out and about as well. Article continues below According to Public Health Wales, the proportion of 4-5-year-olds who are overweight obese in the country fell from 27% in 2021-22 to 25.5% in 2023-24, with Carmarthenshire down from 31.4% to 30.2% - one place behind the Isle of Anglesey. The lowest rate - 20.5% - was in Cardiff.
