The historic Royal Alexandra hospital is to be transformed by a
major £33m investment by Welsh Government that will improve NHS
services for people living in Rhyl.
The new purpose-built facility will include a minor injuries unit
capable of treating more than 20,000 people a year and will ease
pressure Ysbyty Glan Clwyd's emergency department, nearby.
A 14-bed ready-to-go-home reablement unit will also be part of
the new building. It will bring together NHS and social care
teams to provide care for people returning home after medical and
surgical treatment in hospital.
Radiology services will be expanded in Rhyl and four new dental
suites will improve access to NHS care. There will also be an
increase in training opportunities for dental nurses.
The £33m new build, which is due to be completed in
2027, is the first phase of
a £60m investment in the Royal Alexandra
Hospital. A business case for
phase two to redevelop and improve the
existing hospital will
be submitted separately by Betsi Cadwaladr
University Health Board. The First Minister and Health
Secretary confirmed funding for the new development, ahead of the
Welsh Government's Cabinet meeting in Wrexham later today
(23rd February).
First Minister 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, , 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.”
Leader of Denbighshire County Council, 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.
“I would like to thank Welsh Government and our partners for
their collaboration in bringing the project to this stage. This
is an important development for local residents and shows what
can be achieved when partners work together to deliver
sustainable health and social care for our communities.”
