Royal Alexandra Hospital Development
25.05.2024
On March 28 this year, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board approved an option appraisal for the amended proposals for development of the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Those proposals would see the existing building refurbished, along with a new building including care closer to home beds, a Minor Injuries and Ailments Unit (MIAU) and other supporting services. The added benefit of this proposal is the strong commitment to working more closely with our local authority colleagues in social care and with the voluntary sector.
There will also be work to improve car parking at and around the hospital, making access for patients and visitors easier.
As you would imagine, there is now a lot of work ahead to complete the full business case before submission to Welsh Government for approval. Given the current constraints on capital funding nationally it is not possible to fully fund the original business case, and the First Minister confirmed he is looking forward to receiving a new proposal.
It was he, in his previous role as Health Minister, who approved the original plans before external factors beyond our control caused costs to spiral.
We are now set on developing detailed plans which incorporate as much of the original design as possible. We are planning local engagement with the public and our stakeholders over the coming summer to discuss those ideas in more detail.
We will publicise those events and keep you updated on our progress as we work through our plans.
See how you get involved with your Health Board by following this link: Get Involved - Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)
22.03.2024
Since we developed our initial full business case for redevelopment at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl, the spiralling costs of materials, along with effects of the global pandemic and subsequent economic downturn have rendered the original scheme unaffordable.
While it may have appeared to members of the public the project had been shelved, behind the scenes staff have been working hard to develop new options for the improvement and enhancement of services on the site.
In this intervening period some changes to the way we work and how services are configured also allowed us to look at the project differently.
There has never been any change in our commitment to delivering a better and enhanced community hospital for the people of North Denbighshire.
On Thursday, March 28, revised options will be put before a full meeting of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, at Venue Cymru, Llandudno
Following this meeting, we intend to share the full options appraisal we have conducted with the Welsh Government and seek its permission to produce a full business case for our preferred scheme.
Key elements of the new options, include:
- Provision of new services, including beds and a Minor Injuries and Ailments Unit (MIAU) in a new building
- Increased integrated working between health and social care teams
- A stronger Third Sector presence at the site
- A programme of infrastructure improvements to the existing buildings, benefiting staff and visitors to the site and sustaining it well into the future
- Retention of the Glan Traeth buildings as part of the design work
- A suitable car parking solution for staff and visitors to the site, working with our local authority partners
Dr Chris Stockport, executive director of transformation and strategic planning and senior responsible officer for the development, said: “There has been a lot of work undertaken to get to this stage and I really believe we have come up with the best affordable solutions, which will offer greatly enhanced care in a fit-for-purpose environment.
“While this is the start of a process, I feel confident we have developed a deliverable idea for the people of North Denbighshire and something which will be valued as a real community asset.
“Working with our partners at Denbighshire County Council and within the Third Sector, we believe these proposals will deliver better care, closer to home and help relieve some of the pressures faced by Glan Clwyd Hospital.”